Roman Avdeev's biography
Roman Ivanovich Avdeev is a Russian entrepreneur, one of the largest shareholders of the Credit Bank of Moscow. Net worth: $1.1 billion.
Childhood and student years
Roman Avdeev was born in 1967 in Odintsovo. He spent his childhood in a poor but close-knit family. The future banker studied in an ordinary urban school, though he only started earning good grades in his final years. After school, he entered the Moscow Power Engineering Institute. According to Roman Ivanovich, his choice was random. At the end of the second year, he was drafted into the army. In 1988, he returned home and began to combine his studies with work as a watchman and cleaner. Avdeev received a diploma of higher education only in 1994.
The start of entrepreneurial career
Roman Ivanovich first tried himself as an entrepreneur in 1989. He founded a cooperative producing TV decoders. Avdeev's entrepreneurial career turned out to be successful from the very beginning, and the goods supplied by his company were actively sold in Leningrad and Moscow. Avdeev also made contacts with the «Electronmash» plant, which helped his business expand even more.Credit Bank of Moscow and other projects
In 1994 Roman Avdeev came across an announcement for the sale of the Credit Bank of Moscow. At that time, the bank had a currency license, premises, and about 14 employees. The bank existed on paper but wasn't actively operating. He decided the bank could be transformed into an independent business. Avdeev immediately bought it using funds from an existing enterprise.
Shortly after, he bought controlling shares in a sugar factory located in the Lipetsk region. He also acquired nearby land that was ideally suited for agricultural needs and where he established the «Chernozemye» production organization in the 2000s, which supplied about 3% of Russia's total sugar. By the mid-2000s, Avdeev sold his shares and reinvested the proceeds in the Credit Bank of Moscow.
In 2005 Avdeev became director of the «Rossium» concern. Three years later, he participated in purchasing land in the Moscow region. Along with his partner, Avdeev acquired 6 hectares of land and created a construction market with more than 500 sales points.
In 2008, the entrepreneur took on development of the «Sever - Les» association located in the Arkhangelsk region. It included 18 firms that were involved in the forest industry. The association, which had annual revenue of $65 million, was subsequently sold. The money was invested in another project.
After selling all his «Chernozemye» shares in 2008, Avdeev received a considerable amount of funds, which he decided to invest in the Credit Bank of Moscow. By that time, it ranked around 70th among institutions with the largest assets. Credit Bank of Moscow was a universal bank and had a transparent management structure.
Two years after the formation of «Domus Finance» Avdeev founded the «Ingrad» company. It specializes primarily in constructing high-end residential complexes in Moscow and surrounding areas.
In 2012, the Credit Bank of Moscow achieved significant success. Assets of EBRD and IFC were invested in its capital. That same year, it was included among the 20 largest domestic banks. In 2013, Avdeev acquired the «Veropharm» pharmaceutical company but sold it a year later.
In 2015, the businessman began developing the «Rossium» concern. As a result, it became a comprehensive investment holding that encompassed not only banks but also other institutions involved in financing, commercial real estate sales, and pharmaceutical product development.
In 2016, Credit Bank of Moscow ranked among the 10 largest banks in the Russian Federation. Roman Avdeev is still the main owner of the Credit Bank of Moscow and also a member of its supervisory board.
Awards
Late in 2012, Roman Avdeev was awarded a «Hurry to do good» medal. The medal recognizes his enormous contribution to civil rights protection issues outlined in the Constitution.
Personal life and children
Roman Avdeev now lives in his native town Odintsovo with his third wife.
Charity, hobbies and personal views
Roman Avdeev is a philanthropist. In 2014 he founded the «Arithmetic of Good» foundation. The funds go to educational and other needs of children. Special attention is paid to orphans and boarding schools.
The entrepreneur maintains a blog in LiveJournal, where he shares his thoughts on social assistance and charity, notes on historical topics and other interesting publications.
He's passionate about sports but doesn't want it becoming a second job. The billionaire skis, cycles, tries mountain climbing, hits the gym, and walks regularly.
Roman Avdeev especially loves running. He repeatedly took part in marathons. He once combined his running passion with his foundation's work by organizing a charity marathon. All proceeds went toward individual tutoring for schoolchildren to help prepare them for university entrance.
The banker takes time to travel. He claims that knowledge of foreign cultures plays a huge role in personal development.