Private Equity International (PEI Media) Magazine has rated VTB Capital as the best Investment Company on the Russian private equity market in 2011 on the day of the company's entering of the Bulgarian market.

On March 1, 2012, VTB capital formally announced its entering of the Bulgarian market and the Balkans with the establishment of an office in Sofia.

PEI Awards is one of the most significant international awards in private equity. At the PEI Awards, participants choose the best companies by voting.

VTB Capital is one of the most active private equity market participants in Russia and the CIS. The Private Equity and Special Situations business model applies arm's length investments in leading companies across sectors.

"VTB Capital started its activity in the private equity market relatively recently, in 2008, but it has managed to become one of the key players on it since then," said Tim Demchenko, Head of Private Equity and Special Situation at VTB Capital.

"We are glad that, having received this award on the outcome of 2011, VTB Capital has reaffirmed its title as the best Russian private equity company not only according to the Russian experts but also the international professional community," he added.

VTB Capital, the Investment Business of VTB Group, is one of the three strategic business arms of VTB Group, along with the corporate and retail businesses. Since its foundation in 2008, VTB Capital has taken part in more than 235 ECM and DCM deals, which were instrumental in attracting more than USD 96,3bn worth of investments to Russia and CIS.

VTB Capital offers a full range of investment banking products and services to Russian and international clients, focusing on arranging operations in the debt, equity, global commodities markets, developing investment and asset management, advising clients on M&A and ECM deals in Russia and abroad. VTB Capital operates in Moscow, London, Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Vienna, with headquarters in Moscow.

VTB Capital holds top positions in the debt and equity capital markets in Russia and CIS according to the league tables for 2011 by Dealogic and Bloomberg.