According to preliminary estimates, in 2012, Russian banks, including Sberbank, intensified lending to non-banking entities by 12.7 percent and to individuals by 39.3 percent, the First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Alexei Simanovsky said.

In 2012, the assets of Russian banks increased by 18.9 percent, as deposits rose 19.9 percent.

The profits of the banking sector of the Russian Federation in 2012, according to preliminary data, were over one trillion roubles, said Mr. Simanovsky.

The amount of money received from legal entities increased by 11.9 percent in 2012 and by 4.1 percent in December.