Banks of the Caspian Region Countries in the Banking System of Russia: Current Trends and Development Problems

Abstract

The mutual penetration of capital from one country into another has become a characteristic feature of the world financial system. This is largely due to the current globalization processes in the global economy, the continuous development of banking technologies, the need to maintain foreign economic activity of business entities and the rationale for expanding the scales of business activity as a tool to increase operating efficiency. The purpose of the article is to study the current internalization process in the banking systems of the Caspian region countries in terms of the penetration of the banks from the Caspian region countries into the Russian banking sector. Methodology. We have identified the sample of the Russian credit institutions fully controlled by the shareholders from the Caspian region states. Using the data, presented in turnover balance reports (Form 101), we have calculated key performance indicators in 2015–2018. We used the Bank of Russia’s practice to estimate the aggregate balance sheet of the 30 largest credit institutions as the basis for our algorithm. We have analyzed tendencies in funding base, structure of assets and operating efficiency. Results. The analysis of the financial statements shows that within the chosen business model, the banks of the sample are more likely to focus on international financial settlements, servicing foreign trade transactions, than on traditional types of banking business such as lending to non-financial enterprises and individuals. Their performance is significantly lower than the industry benchmarks, which so far does not allow us to expect an increase in their scale of presence in the Russian market in the near future. Practical implications. The analysis of current processes in the field of internationalization of banking systems can be used to assess the financial and economic integration of the countries of the Caspian countries and to develop corrective measures aimed at its further development and deepening.