"In compliance with the government's decision, the supervisory boards of Sberbank and Vneshtorgbank approved the placement of their issues. These emissions will be held in the first half of 2007," Alexei Kudrin said at a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Cabinet members.
Kudrin said a final decision will be made on the basis of market conditions.
Kudrin said Thursday Sberbank's supervisory board approved an additional share issue worth 200 billion rubles (about $7.5 billion), and that the placement was expected in February 2007.
VTB also decided Thursday to issue additional shares worth 120 billion rubles ($4.6 billion) in the first half of 2007, Kudrin said.
Putin told the Cabinet meeting that the work of the IPO had to be carried out in a way that enabled ordinary Russians to buy shares.
"I want to draw your attention to the fact that timely and complete information is needed," Putin said.
"We will provide such opportunities," Kudrin said.
