The son of late prominent economist Yegor Gaidar entered into banking by buying a sizeable stake in Strategia, a news report said Thursday.
The elder Gaidar earned both adoration and disdain as a mastermind of Russia's post-Communist transition to a market economy — a move that saved the country from a complete collapse but turned millions into paupers.
His son Pyotr has held a low profile until Strategia, which ranks No. 445 in terms of assets among Russian lenders, announced that he acquired a 19.5 percent stake.
"I know well how reliable this bank is and what potential it has," the junior Gaidar said, Vedomosti reported.
The stake in the bank changed hands Jan. 18, the report said. Gaidar bought it from Viktoria Gukovskaya.
The other principal co-owners are little-known business people Oleg Medvedev, Leonid Kelin, Alexei Andronov and Irina Rubinova, who each hold 19.9 percent.
Pyotr Gaidar, 33, said he had a seat on the bank's board since November 2011. Board chairman Yakov Urinson and the elder Gaidar were friends.
Established in 1994, Strategia has offices in Moscow, Perm, Kaluga and Kostroma.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
