Latvijas Krājbanka (Nasdaq BalticLKB1R,Nasdaq BalticLKB2R) was a Latvian bank listed on the Riga OMX exchange. The bank dated back to 1924 when it was founded as the Latvian Postal Savings Bank. Operations of the savings bank continued in various forms during the Soviet period, and following the regained Latvian independence, the privatisation process of the bank was initiated in 1997 and concluded in 2003.[5]

Latvijas Krājbanka
Company typeJoint stock company
Nasdaq BalticLKB1R Nasdaq BalticLKB2R
IndustryBanking
PredecessorLatvian Postal Savings Bank
Founded1924
FateIn liquidation
Headquarters,
Number of locations
155 service centres[1]
Area served
Latvia
Key people
Raimondas Baranauskas (Chairman)[2]
Ivars Priedītis (CEO)[2]
RevenueLVL 34.6 million (2009)[3]
Decrease LVL 1.9 million (2009)[3]
OwnerBank Snoras (53.2%)[2]
Vladimir Antonov (31.96%)[2]
Number of employees
941 (2009)[4]
Websitelkb.lv

The main shareholders were Lithuanian based Snoras banking group and the Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov.[2] In 2009, Latvijas Krājbanka had a turnover revenue of 34.6 million Latvian lats with a loss of 1.9 million lats.[3] The bank had 941 employees[4] and 155 customer service centres in Latvia.[1]

In November 2011, the bank was taken over by the Latvian government and liquidated due to bankruptcy of Snoras. In May 2012 the bank lost its banking license.[6] Antonov was accused of fraud and misappropriation of US$290 million.[7] In August 2012 Antonov was sentenced to six years and another board member Ivars Priedītis to five years in prison. Assets were also seized from both Antonov and Priedītis.[8][9] A total of EUR 6.1 million was not withdrawn by clients from the banks accounts before the end of the guaranteed remuneration.[10]

2009 was a year of severe economic crisis in Latvia, with a sharp drop in GDP, exports and imports, and sharp declines in construction, retail, manufacturing and other sectors of the economy. In 2009, Latvijas Krājbanka's turnover was LVL 34.6 million, with a loss of LVL 1.9 million. Later that year, the bank celebrated its 85th anniversary and Ivars Priedītis took over as Chairman of the Board.[11]

In 2010, the improvement of the Latvian economy also affected the performance of the banking sector. Savings Bank continued its activities and development, including supporting important cultural events.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "AS Latvijas Krajbanka Consolidated Annual Report for 2009" (PDF). nasdacomxbaltic.com. 2010-03-12. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e "AS Latvijas Krajbanka Consolidated Annual Report for 2009" (PDF). nasdacomxbaltic.com. 2010-03-12. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  3. ^ a b c "AS Latvijas Krajbanka Consolidated Annual Report for 2009" (PDF). nasdacomxbaltic.com. 2010-03-12. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  4. ^ a b "AS Latvijas Krajbanka Consolidated Annual Report for 2009" (PDF). nasdacomxbaltic.com. 2010-03-12. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  5. ^ "About the Bank; 1994-2005". Latvijas Krājbanka. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  6. ^ "Latvijas Krājbanka appeal case gets underway". lsm.lv. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  7. ^ Latvia Says Antonov Owes $290 Million in Krajbanka Funds
  8. ^ "Former Latvijas Krājbanka board members get prison sentence". lsm.lv. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  9. ^ "Bijušajiem "Krājbankas" vadītājiem Antonovam un Priedītim piespriež cietumsodu un konfiscē mantu". LA.LV (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  10. ^ "Likvidējamajā "Latvijas krājbankā" "atstāj" 6,1 miljonu eiro". LA.LV (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  11. ^ a b "Par banku". www.lkb.lv. Retrieved 2023-06-15.