Ural Bank of Sberbank of Russia conducted a prize-winning lottery for its customers; seven travel tours were at stake. In order to become a participant, one had to open a bank account in Sverdlovsk, Kurgan, or Chelyabinsk Regions or in Bashkortostan between January 22 and March 18, 2007. There had to be at least 30,000 RUR ($1,000, ?1,000) in the bank account on March 19, 2007, and the account had to be valid for at least two years. 25,000 customers were thus eligible to participate; the computer randomly chose the names of the winners, who will be able to decide on the date and destination themselves. Yekaterinburg-based Emilia Vara won one of the certificates; she says she didn’t expect to win and kept her investments in Sberbank primarily because she believes this is the safest and the most customer-friendly bank. Ms Vara has been using Oktyabrskiy office next to where she lives for many years.

The other certificates were given to a bank’s client from Nizhniy Tagil, two customers from Chelyabinsk Region, two customers from Bashkortostan, and one person from Kurgan Region. They also have the freedom of choice as regards the date and destination; their certificates only expire at the end of the year.

Ural Bank of Sberbank of Russia is going to make a new special offer as soon as April 16, 2007, reports the bank’s press officer.