Vladimir Romanov’s Ukio Bankas opens after 4-year delay
Ukio Bankas has opened its doors
Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov’s bank has finally opened a branch in Edinburgh, as the controversial businessman today suggested he might reconsider his decision to sell the club.
The Castle Street branch of Ukio Bankas has opened to the public more than four years later than first planned.
Today, the Lithuanian businessman was reported as saying he might reconsider his decision to sell the club if changes were made to Scottish football, adding: “It may well be that I won’t leave Hearts after all.”
His comments came as the club said the majority of their first-team players had been paid January wages.
Ukio Bankas first announced its plans to open an Edinburgh branch in 2006 and has been a tenant of 10 Castle Street since 2007, but was unable to open because of difficulties obtaining a banking licence.
That now appears to have been resolved as the bank has quietly opened its first branch outside Lithuania without any promotional activity or announcements.
One source at the company told the Evening News: “It is a soft opening at the minute, just using our existing contacts in the Edinburgh city area to bring clients in. We are not planning any major publicity just now. We are just testing the opportunities and talking to the market.”
The company is not directly linked to the Hearts owner’s Ukio Bankas Investment Group (UBIG), but Mr Romanov is the largest shareholder in both.
The new Edinburgh branch is said to be offering a “broad spectrum” of facilities, including both traditional retail banking and corporate banking.
Doubts had been raised about whether the company would ever open Edinburgh.
The News revealed last week that UBIG is selling a large chunk of the former RBS headquarters in St Andrew Square that it bought for £20 million.
The opening also appears to have surprised council and business leaders.
Graham Birse, director of policy and communications at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is certainly low-key. We look forward to engaging with the bank in terms of what potential there might be in eastern Europe for Scottish businesses.”
Councillor Tom Buchanan, the city’s economic development leader, said: “We welcome new foreign investment to the city.”
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Comments
There are 30 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
hootsfandango
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 12:48 PMI'd rather send my money to a Nigerian prince trying to get his money out of the country.
McIntosh
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 09:48 PMThere is absolutely no way I'd do any business with that bank! No way!
rob2che'
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 07:38 PMwell well well didnt this open a few eyes and shut a few gobs , it did mine, but if anybody is going to pull the preverbable rabbit from the hat its going to be VR .
Jams
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 07:26 PMTo be fair to Vlad - 4 years late is early by CEC standards.
Highland Hibby
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 05:54 PM#16 They might only vote once each, but the voter with 10,000 shares has 10,000 times the voting weight of the one with 1 share. i.e. if the vote against each other the result is 10,000 v 1, not a draw._____#23 Vlad is the connection between them.
jaggybum
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 05:50 PMthe same guarantee as other Banks is £85000 I support neither Hearts or Hibs but if the rates are good,I`ll be there with my wad of notes
Newyearsday73
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 05:14 PMAye!
Dragonlord
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 05:03 PMThere is no connection between Hearts and this bank, why are you trying to make one? As for idiots puting their money in, have you any idea what interest rate they are offering? If they are offering a good rate I would suggest it's you who are the idiot if you DON'T put your money in.
edinburgh100
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 04:15 PMAppears that Vlad hasnt bothered to pay the players again this month. Did the moneygo on the opening of the bank ?.
Dood
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 04:07 PM#12 Rambo - how's the comment you're referring to 'Xenophobic'? Seriously, explain please. And could you also enlighten us as to how much you'll be depositing with the bank, seeing as how you've mounted such a sturdy defence of it. For the record, and regardless of what team I support, I won't be touching them with a bargepole - nor will most others (I'd suggest politely).
John H
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 03:48 PM18 Vlad's waiting for idiots like you to put money into his bank then he might just pay the players. Yes the same ones they said they paid yesterday. Your Club is collapsing in a torrent of lies and financial abuse but what are the fans views on this. Sadly non existent.
bookie-from-hell
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 03:44 PMwonder what cash transfers are like every month
View From The Shed
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 03:38 PMWell that,s one in the eye for the doom and gloom merchants who had Hearts dead and buried!!! While not directly connected to HMFC VR,s investment in Edinburgh can hardly be a signal that he,s ready to up sticks and leave and even hinting at the fact he may not sell the club.Possibly more mind games but has to be positive in light of recent circumstances.
22GamesInARow
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 03:34 PMMy account is opened got my free UKIO pen
busyasusal
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 02:37 PMShareholders all have the same voting rights irrespective of their shareholding. 1 share is one vote as is 10000 shares one vote. Only difference is he will get the biggest dividend out of all shareholders. So he may be major shareholder but he has no more of a say than any other shareholder.
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