Rustam Tariko is summoned to court. Tariko's creditors turned to A1 for help Doing what I want is fundamental

Journalists of the Vedomosti newspaper learned about this from two creditors who own these securities; in addition, the information was confirmed by a representative of the Myriad Rus company, which acts on behalf of the group. According to the publication's source, Myriad Rus has united the owners of 9.84% of bonds.

Let us recall that seven-year Eurobonds in the amount of $545 million were placed by Russian Standard Ltd in 2015. The collateral for them is 49% of the shares of Russian Standard Bank. In October 2017, the bonds defaulted: Tariko, who got rich selling vodka and bought the bank two years before the worst drop in oil prices in 20 years, did not pay the bondholders a $35 million coupon, citing a lack of funds.

In June, Bloomberg reported that a group of holders of 25% of Russian Standard Ltd's bond issue demanded immediate repayment of the securities that were in the hands of Tariko's creditors.

Recently, the London division of Citibank N.A., which acts as a trustee for Eurobonds, notified holders of defaulted securities that some of them plan to file a lawsuit in the near future demanding the withdrawal of collateral for the securities - 49% of the shares of Russian Standard Bank.

About Rustam Tariko

Born in Tatarstan, 56-year-old Rustam Tariko was a permanent member of the Russian Forbes list from the beginning of the ranking in 2004 until 2017.

He began building his career in 1988 at the travel agency “Business Tour”. In almost 3 years, he rose from an ordinary employee to the position of consultant in the Italian companies Ferrero and Martini & Rossi.

In 1992, Tariko began building his own business - he founded the company Roust Inc., which was engaged in the sale of alcoholic beverages of the Martini, Smirnoff and Johnie Walker brands.

6 years later, he founded the Russian Standard company, which has become a large corporation and today includes a number of companies. In 1999, Tariko bought Agrooptbank, renamed it Russian Standard and was the first in Russia to engage in consumer lending. By 2001, the bank broke even, and by the end of 2004 it took 2nd place in consumer lending after Sber.

In addition to the financial organization, the Tariko empire includes the companies Russian Standard Vodka and Russian Standard Insurance.

Tariko became the first in Russia to buy his own personal Boeing, and, as he claims, he operates it exclusively on his own. Moreover, he owns the world's fastest boat, Terrible, which reaches speeds of 90 miles (or 144 km) per hour.

“Affordable luxury for everyone” is the businessman’s favorite phrase on his profile on one of the social networks.

The Rust holding, owned by Tariko, is aware of the demand of a group of investors. However, according to company representatives, this is not an unexpected or significant development and represents a technical step.

As a representative of Russian Standard Ltd. explained, collecting the collateral is unprofitable: 49% of Russian Standard Bank costs from 50 to 70 million dollars, while 25% of the face value of the bonds is 136.3 million dollars.

“Currently, the issuer continues to discuss the terms of the agreement with the holders,” the holding notes.

As for the prospects of bondholders in the dispute with Rustam Tariko and Russian Standard, they are, according to lawyers, high: the process is quite obvious - the debt has not been paid, there is collateral, and if there are no pitfalls, then foreclosure on it will not be difficult .

Holders of default Eurobonds of Russian Standard Ltd, Rustam Tariko, hired the A1 company (investment division of Alfa Group) to negotiate with the issuer, said the owner of the Russian Standard papers and confirmed a person close to one of the parties to the negotiations. According to Vedomosti’s interlocutors, A1 was approached by an initiative group that collected 25% of the issue: they did not agree to the proposed restructuring conditions.

Didn't pay twice

Russian Standard defaulted on securities for $545 million in October 2017, without paying the coupon. They were issued in 2015 to restructure the bank's $350 million and $200 million subordinated Eurobonds. Russian standard» Rustam Tariko. Holders of the bank's bonds received 18% of the par value and Russian Standard paper.

This issue is secured by 49% of the bank's shares.

Russian Standard in 2018 offered two options: to buy back securities for 25% of the face value or for 20% and the right to payments that will be tied to the results of Russian Standard. Both options are more profitable than withdrawing the collateral, the representative of Russian Standard convinced: 49% of the bank’s shares are worth $50–70 million, and 25% of the face value of the bonds is $136 million. I’m not convinced.

The Central Bank did not help

Bond holders turned to Central Bank Chairman Elvira Nabiullina for support. They presented the entire debt for repayment and demanded the return of $623.6 million from Tariko, threatening to recover the pledged bank shares. The group considered the collection of collateral as a last resort, they indicated in the letter. Requests to the funds that signed Nabiullina’s letter remained unanswered. A Pala Assets representative declined to comment.

Option to foreclose on the pledge of bank shares " Russian standard“is still a last resort, says one of Vedomosti’s interlocutors, but creditors can use it if Russian Standard’s debt cannot be settled otherwise. The bonds are issued under English law, but the pledged bank shares are governed by Russian law, the bondholder indicates.

New Hope

A1 was hired to protect the rights of creditors, says one of Vedomosti’s interlocutors. “If the creditors' committee decides to resort to foreclosure, it could benefit from the help of a strong Russian partner,” he explains.

A1 has extensive experience in working with complex corporate cases, so-called special situations, notes Matrix Capital partner Pavel Teplukhin: these include conflicts between shareholders, ineffective management, and, of course, the settlement of problem debts, and not only in Russia. “Often, such proceedings are not limited to Russian jurisdiction, and A1 are those who can help with searching for assets and collecting debts abroad,” he believes. It was the A1 Deposit Insurance Agency, the bankruptcy trustee of Vneshprombank (VPB), that entrusted the prosecution of the bank's co-owner Georgy Bedzhamov in a London court. The collapse of this bank in January 2016 became the largest case of falsification of statements in Russian history; the Central Bank estimated the hole in the bank at 216 billion rubles. At the end of March, the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, following a suit by VPB, arrested Bedzhamov’s assets for $1.75 billion.

Representative of the holding " Russian standard» haven't heard of bondholders hiring A1. A1 has not contacted them, but the holding is in contact with bondholders, he said. A1's representative declined to comment.

The initiative group with a share of 25% is not the only one trying to return the funds invested in Russian Standard bonds: the Myriad Rus company, which unites the owners of another 9.8% of the bonds, wants to recover the collateral on the securities through the court. The bond holders were planning to appeal to the Moscow Arbitration Court at the end of last year, but decided to postpone filing the claim until they found a buyer for the bond, says a representative of Myriad Rus: “We want to get the maximum possible amount for the bank’s shares, and given the current market situation this is perhaps by selling it directly to a known investor at a pre-agreed price rather than through an auction. If the court upholds the claim and forecloses on the collateral, we will not have much time to find a buyer, so we would like to find an interested investor in advance.” According to him, the company is now consulting with foreign and Russian investment houses, trying to find buyers for the bank's shares.

The enterprising boy Rustam Tariko, having come to study in Moscow from the provinces, as a result conquered not only the capital, but the whole country, and then almost the whole world. Talented and ambitious, passionate and purposeful, he became a successful self-made man. The man who created a domestic brand, recognizable all over the world, and a business - the Russian Standard empire, which made him a billionaire.

Rustam Vasilyevich Tariko is a prominent representative of post-Soviet Russian business. His personal story is inextricably linked with the history of the formation of the new economic reality of Russia at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century. Owner of yachts, planes, villas and beauty contests. A connoisseur of exclusive wine and a lover of women. Patron and sole owner of a large business. How did an ordinary Soviet boy from provincial Menzelinsk manage to become one of the richest people in the country? What personal qualities and features of perception of the state changing before our eyes allowed you to achieve heights in business? What is he like, Rustam Tariko, whose success story resembles an exciting action game?

Dry chronicle of events

• The future “vodka king” was born in the Tatar city of Menzelinsk on March 17, 1962. In 1989 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineers.
• Since 1988, he became an employee of the Italian company “Business Tour”, which was involved in the accommodation of foreign businessmen in hotels in the capital. Thanks to the useful contacts he made with foreign entrepreneurs, he became a consultant for the global brands Ferrero Spa and Martini & Rossi.
• In 1992, he created the Roust company, which quickly became the largest importer of elite alcohol in Russia, in particular, Martini vermouth, Johnnie Walker whiskey, and Baileys liqueur. Over time, Roust became the world's second largest distributor of alcohol, including in its portfolio such brands as:
• vodka “Russian Standard”, “Cranes”, “Marusya”, “Green Mark”;
• Italian sparkling wines and Gancia vermouths;
• Glenfiddic Scotch whiskey;
• Dutch White Hall liqueurs;
• French cognac Remy Martin.
• In 1998, he registered the Russian Standard brand, with the goal of moving away from distribution and focusing on production. In 2006, he opened his first own plant for the production of high-quality vodka. Acquired two domains to promote the brand in Russia and abroad: Vodka.com and Vodka.ru. Became an exporter in 40 countries. In 2013, he became the owner of the Polish holding CEDC, one of the largest vodka producers in the world.

  How popular the Russian Standard vodka brand has become abroad can be seen in this video:

• In 1999, Rustam Tariko created Russian Standard Bank on the basis of the small Agrooptbank, turning it in the shortest possible time into the largest retail bank in the country.
• This is how the business empire “Russian Standard” was born, which included vodka, banking and insurance businesses, with the sole owner - Rustam Tariko.

This is interesting: The name Rustam means giant, giant.

Reference: Rustam Tariko has been a permanent member of the Russian Forbes list since the ranking began in 2004. His fortune was estimated at its highest in 2007 - then it amounted to $5.5 billion. In 2016, Forbes estimated the businessman's fortune at $0.5 billion. According to preliminary estimates from Forbes, in 2017 Tariko will not be included in the ranking of the 200 richest people in Russia.

Luck or talent?

When it comes to famous wealthy entrepreneurs, the average person usually likes to attach labels: “just lucky,” “found himself in the right place at the right time,” “rich relatives helped,” or the simple “stole.” In the case of Rustam Tariko, shortcuts do not work. In the 90s, many felt the smell of change and freedom in the country, but few were able to take advantage of it. Why did Tariko manage to climb to the very top?

Leader from birth

Rustam had an ordinary provincial Soviet childhood, and his mother raised him alone. While already studying in Moscow, he worked part-time as a janitor to pay for his accommodation. On principle, I didn’t take money from my mother. Rustam’s mother worked a lot and often went on long business trips. Rustam is from the generation of “independent children” who, from an early age, are accustomed to taking care of themselves, making decisions, and being responsible for themselves and their actions. At that time this was the norm for a Soviet family. At the same time, my mother always supported her son and tried to help him in everything. Tariko himself puts it this way: “I know what makes me strong: I grew up in an atmosphere of great maternal love.”

He was lucky as a child. Beloved children grow into confident adults, and the habit of relying on oneself helps them boldly move towards their goals. Self-confidence and personal responsibility for decisions made are qualities inherent in leaders. While others doubt, these people go and do it.

This is interesting: Rustam had a commercial streak since childhood. While studying at school, he performed as a soloist as part of the school VIA, the guys performed at various events, receiving a salary. While studying at the institute, Tariko worked as a janitor, a waiter, and sold electrical equipment. He earned his first significant fee in the Business Tour company, receiving 5 thousand dollars.

They say that a problem ceases to be a problem if it can be solved. Rustam Tariko, whose biography is full of interesting stories, has the talent to emerge victorious from a variety of situations. Here are some examples.

In his youth, while working for the Italian company Business Tour, the charismatic and persistent Rustam agreed with the head of the Rossiya Hotel to provide hotel rooms to foreign businessmen on an ongoing basis. If you remember that time, it was almost impossible. And he succeeded.

Without thinking twice, Tariko suggested that Ferrero representatives organize sales of Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs in regular Moscow stores, and not just in specialized Berezki stores. Considering Soviet realities, chocolate businessmen did not believe in the success of the enterprise. Tariko managed to persuade them and prove that he was right by selling the first batch of chocolate in the shortest possible time.

After the chocolate story, Rustam Tariko became known among foreign businessmen as a person who solves problems. Representatives of Martini & Rossi contacted him and offered him distribution.

Much later, having built his first distillery, Tariko decided to transfer the production of Russian Standard vodka from the St. Petersburg Liviz plant to its own facilities. The management of Liviz filed an application with Rospatent demanding the liquidation of the Russian Standard trademark. Tariko won the case, retaining the brand.

In 2006, when there was a wave of indignation among Russian Standard Bank borrowers about exorbitantly high loan rates, the consumer rights organization Blokpost filed a lawsuit. Need I say that Tariko won the case? To be fair, it should be noted that later the bank still had to bring rates in line with market rates under pressure from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation.

Tariko called the deal to acquire the CEDC holding complex but beautiful. He came out victorious again.

Even now, during a period of serious turmoil in the economy and, in particular, in the banking sector, Rustam Tariko speaks confidently and optimistically: “The bank found itself in some kind of perfect storm, where the cost of financing rose sharply, and the purchasing power of Russian consumers went down. I believe that we have solved most of the problems."

What personality traits help Rustam achieve victory? Phenomenal persistence in achieving a set goal, high communication skills, brightness and charisma, and ambition are other components of success.

The ability to anticipate and be first

Another component of Rustam Tariko’s success is his talent to anticipate and anticipate consumer needs. And also to be the first on the market with your offers. His commercial solutions are simple and ingenious. It seems they were lying on the surface...

He bet on the production and sale of expensive alcohol when no one believed that it would be bought in Russia. Tariko won because he was one of the first to sense the impending social changes in society and the emerging need for the attributes of a beautiful life after so many years of the existence of the Iron Curtain.

He created his own brand, Russian Standard, which became widely known both in Russia and abroad.

Already being the “vodka king” of Russia, Tariko entered the banking business and created the first retail bank with the vodka name “Russian Standard”. Among classical bankers, this was received ambiguously and caused bewilderment. But Rustam Tariko won again, revolutionizing the consumer lending market and making his bank a leader.

Fast loans without guarantors or collateral, issued directly in stores, affordable credit cards for everyone - this was a new word in the banking services market. Over time, many commercial banks would offer similar services to their clients, but Tariko was the first.

Obtaining new knowledge as a permanent process

Another facet of an entrepreneur’s personality: openness to new knowledge, constant improvement of one’s professional and educational level. A remarkable fact is that already being the head of the Russian Standard bank and one of the richest people in the country, Tariko entered the school for businessmen INSEAD Executive School (France). The entrepreneur also has knowledge of several foreign languages. He once admitted that operational management is not his strong point. But in the field of marketing, promoting his products to the West, advertising campaigns, and design, he demonstrated serious knowledge and skills.

Doing what I want is fundamental

Rustam Vasilyevich Tariko is a contradictory and complex personality. “Doing what I want is fundamental. If I don't want to go to work, I won't go. No one and nothing will force me” - these words of a businessman very accurately reflect his position in life and are a competitive advantage. Because allowing yourself to be free in your desires and goals means having greater power and inspiration to bring them to life.

In private life, Tariko manifests himself in the same way as in business. He is extravagant, unpredictable, capable of sweeping gestures and strange actions. Loves thrills and appreciates beauty. Rustam purchased a Boeing 747 aircraft for private use and operates the aircraft independently. He is able to give the name of his beloved girl to an exotic flower for fabulous money; there are legends about parties at a villa in Sardinia. He makes friends with famous world stars and organizes beauty contests. He has never been officially married, but has three children whom he takes care of. Tariko loves luxury cars and gorgeous women. He cannot be called an ascetic. He loves dolce vita with all its attributes and possibilities.

This is interesting: Rustam Tariko purchased a villa in Sardinia from the wife of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for 15 thousand euros.

Big risks of big business

Big business means big upheavals. Today, in a crisis, the empire of Rustam Tariko is experiencing difficulties, like many private businesses in modern Russia. Tariko's own fortune dropped to $0.5 billion. Scandals and gossip are raging around the businessman’s name. Ruslan Tariko has experience of experiencing shocks. To maintain the business, he decided to sell part of his personal assets and contribute money to capitalize the holding’s enterprises. The businessman, as always, is optimistic about the future. “I don’t separate work and personal things. Everything personal for me is work, and all work is personal. That's why I never work and never rest. This is how I live." This is how he lives... In 2016, Rustam Tariko signed a contract with Soyuzplodimport for the right to produce and sell Zubrovka vodka in Russia for 10 years.

57-year-old Tariko Rustam Vasilyevich, according to editorial analysts, is going through the most problematic period in his commercial activities
​
The Russian Standard Bank, controlled by Mr. Tariko, according to relevant sources, is on the edge, and the outrageous dollar billionaire himself is entangled in schemes between the financial and alcohol businesses. At the recent United Russia congress, against the backdrop of a speech Vladimir Putin the scandalous Tarikov bank "Russian Standard" again appeared in the "shameful" blacks.

The United Russia think tanks conducted a serious analysis of the “images of injustice” that are sensitive to society, against which the party is preparing to deliver a concentrated organizational and propaganda blow. Following the boorish official and the corrupt security official, the gallery of images of injustice in mass perception is logically continued by the luxurious oligarch, who undermines countries, for example, by transferring money abroad through illegal schemes. Current research by the Center for Political Information, whose head Alexey Mukhin has a strong reputation as a “Kremlin political scientist.”

“The bank-vodka combination, which the owner of Russian Standard, Rustam Tariko, used for a long time, stopped working. The security forces may soon come to the banker,” the publication continues. – “The funds of depositors of the Russian Standard Bank can be withdrawn to the Rust alcohol holding. Both structures are owned by Rustam Tariko. A disappointing conclusion for him was made in the report, which was discussed by experts at a round table in the Parliamentary Newspaper. According to the correspondent, the banker’s situation is more than serious.

If he doesn’t want to get to Magadan, he needs to flee Russia.

Political scientist Alexey Mukhin wrote about the paradoxical situation when a bank asks for help from the state, and then, in case of problems that arise, blackmails it with the interests of Russian depositors.

As Mukhin said, “in 2015, Russian Standard Bank asked for help from the state through the OFZ mechanism, but instead of improving the situation, in 2017 it defaulted on bonds. Russian Standard Bank also actively works with funds from individuals.”

According to Mukhin, “We will have to take measures to save the credit institution (Russian Standard – Editor’s note) in order to avoid social tension in society,” the expert said.

In the first half of 2015, the bank suffered a loss of 22 billion rubles, its capital decreased from 16 billion rubles. up to RUB 0.6 billion Then Rustam Tariko was forced to additionally capitalize the bank with shares of his alcohol companies for 15 billion rubles. Russian Standard was saved by the restructuring of bonds with maturities in April 2020 and January 2024.

In December 2015, he received 5 billion rubles in capital, which was given by the DIA under the additional capitalization program through OFZ. Previously in 2009

Russian Standard took out a loan from VEB in the amount of 4.96 billion rubles, which must be repaid in December 2019. And soon Rustam Tariko will have to fork out. But he apparently has no money.

Over the past month, the bank has rapidly gone downhill. Assets decreased by 8.7 billion rubles, profit by 2.5 billion rubles. (46.9%), fixed capital for 4.9 billion rubles. (10%), loans to enterprises and organizations for 3.3 billion rubles. (17.3%), funds of enterprises and organizations for 20.79 billion rubles. (64.98%).

The last figure is especially alarming. It turns out that some enterprises and organizations are taking money from the bank. And they may be structures of the same alcohol holding company "Rust" of Rustam Tariko. Is he withdrawing money from his credit institution?

Just a month ago, according to this indicator, the bank was in the black by 1.7 billion rubles. Where did more than half of the funds go?

If we count all the “losses” of Russian Standard Bank just for the last month, they will amount to about 40 billion rubles. (!!!) I wonder where the Central Bank is looking? Even from open sources it is clear that something unimaginable is going on at the bank from a financial point of view.

And in just this year, Russian Standard Bank has already lost 94 billion rubles. Of these, deposits of individuals decreased by 11 billion rubles, assets by 28.9 billion rubles, funds of enterprises and organizations by 37.3 billion rubles. (76%). Yes, Rustam Tariko has completely gone wild! In 10 months, 2/3 of the funds of legal entities could be withdrawn. And what will happen by the end of the year with such a brisk pace of the banker Tariko?

The Central Bank will probably react only when depositors rush to withdraw their money from the bank. So this could happen very soon. And what will the collapse of another bank lead to, which ranks 19th in Russia in terms of the volume of retail deposits? In terms of assets, it is in 29th place, that is, Russian Standard is considered a large bank. Isn't the head of the Central Bank afraid that his collapse could undermine confidence in the Russian banking system?

Is Rustam Tariko afraid?

Perhaps the banker Tariko realized that after the default on Eurobonds and the failure to agree on their restructuring of the bank, he would no longer see his ears.

The holders of 27% of bonds blocked the restructuring and are not making any concessions to Rustam Tariko. The collateral for Eurobonds worth $550 million is a 49% stake in Russian Standard Bank, which Rustam Tariko may soon lose. Investors have already hired A1 company to resolve the issue. But she won’t stand on ceremony with the banker. Losing the bank for Tariko is only a matter of time.

But this is not even what the banker’s head should be hurting about right now. By holding a round table, he could have been given a signal that he could not expect help from the state. And blackmail will not work with the interests of investors. They already helped once. If the situation escalates, then Rustam Tariko will have a very hard time. It cannot be ruled out that, given the previous experience of banking “refugees,” the banker’s assets are already being closely monitored.

So the situation is already critical! To do this, it is enough to analyze how the amount of funds of enterprises and organizations in the Russian Standard changed over the year.

Rustam Tariko, of course, is trying to put a good face on a bad game. For example, last month he announced that he would produce whiskey. In light of new information about the possible transfer of money to the structures of the Rust alcohol holding, this seems quite logical.

Funds are needed for new production. Where is their son-in-law if not in his bank?

Isn’t Rustam Tariko afraid that bond holders will demand a psychiatric examination of the banker’s condition? In order to suspend possible withdrawal of funds from the bank. If it is recognized that the banker made transactions in a state of “mental instability,” then they can be canceled.

In the summer, the Lenta publication wrote that last year Rustam Tariko invested 19.3 billion rubles in Rust structures. Is it not clear why he did this and where the money could have gone? Eurobond holders will wait that, as a result of Tariko’s delay, they will get a holey bag instead of a bank.

Where does the money go?

In order to find out the direction in which money can “float” from the Russian Standard Bank, you need to carefully look at who is the founder of the structures of the Rust holding. And everything will become clear immediately. The founders of Rust Russia JSC are the company Sayrey Holdings Inc. from the British Virgin Islands, which does not disclose their beneficiaries. Very convenient for those who like to hide money.

And apparently there is something to hide. With revenue of 51 billion rubles, the company's loss amounted to 1.5 billion rubles. Could the money go to the islands?

JSC "Rust Russia" has 8 subsidiaries and 7 managed companies. One of them is CJSC Rust Incorporated, owned by the Bermuda offshore company Rust Trading Limited. He also owns the Russian Standard Company CJSC.

Rustam Tariko is covered with offshore companies like a Christmas tree. Managed by JSC Rust Russia, Parliament Production LLC and Parliament Distribution LLC are owned by the Cypriot company Coupcrest Enterprises Limited.

LLC "Glavspirttrest" - Cyprus "Latchi Limited", its 100% is under the encumbrance of the British "TMF Trust Limited". The founder of Russian Standard Vodka LLC is Rust Corporation from the USA.

In general, it is useless to wander among offshore companies and structures of the Rust holding without guides from law enforcement agencies. You still won’t find the ends, everything can be so easily confused when transferring money.

Rustam Tariko may soon face another problem - not of an economic, but of a political nature. His bank can be used for their own purposes by various political forces. And, naturally, not with the goal of helping.

Rumor has it that "Russian Standard" attracted the attention of State Duma deputies. And they are ready to strike at him in the form of parliamentary requests to various bodies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office. Why not show how parliamentarians care about their voters? In this situation, Rustam Tariko will definitely not find it enough.

You can easily find yourself in a pre-trial detention center, at least for the duration of the trial.

Maybe the banker Tariko does not yet realize the degree of danger that threatens him? Problems are approaching him from all sides. And it is unlikely that you will be able to avoid a collision with them.

Rustam Vasilyevich Tariko is a successful entrepreneur who managed to go from a janitor to a major businessman without connections or initial capital. He now owns a group of companies valued at between $5.4 billion and $10 billion. Rustam Tariko's Russian Standard holding unites a bank that has become famous for its express lending, as well as companies involved in the production of vodka, insurance, pensions, etc.

Childhood

The future billionaire was born in the city of Menzelinsk, Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, on March 17, 1962. Rustam's parents divorced when the boy was one year old. The entrepreneur’s mother, Roza Nazipovna, worked in the district party committee and often went on business trips, from which she brought toys and sweets to her son. From childhood, the boy learned to be independent, knew how to clean, cook and do laundry.

At school, Rustam was a diligent student and was also fond of music. The boy learned to sing and play the guitar. Soon Tariko created an ensemble and performed at school events. With the support of his mother, Rustam achieved official status for the group at the local Palace of Culture, and the guys received an official salary for performing at discos.

After school, Tariko moved to Moscow, where he graduated from the Institute of Transport Engineers. During this period, music faded into the background, because the capital offered other opportunities for earning money.

Business

As a student, Tariko got a job as a janitor to support himself. He did not accept money from his mother, but sent it back. and Later, Rustam Tariko got a job at the travel company “Business Tour”, which was managed by Emanuella Carboncini. The Italian primarily booked hotels for businessmen from Italy, but often encountered bureaucratic difficulties. Tariko established cooperation with hotels and already earned $5,000 with the first group of tourists.

Tariko worked actively in a travel agency until 1990, while meeting influential businessmen. With the opening of the “border”, the young guy got a job as a consultant for the Martini & Rossi and Ferrero companies. So, he suggested that Ferrero SpA sell “Kinder surprises” in regular stores. The Russian market received foreign chocolates with delight, which brought income to Rustam.

The company noted Tariko's entrepreneurial abilities and invited the guy to become a full-time employee. To do this, Rustam needed to go to Luxembourg for one year to study. But the guy returned home much earlier due to the collapse of the USSR. The change in the political situation opened up new opportunities for Tariko, which he hastened to take advantage of.

Upon returning to Russia, Tariko invested his accumulated money in importing expensive brands of alcohol. In 1992, he became the founder of the company ROUST Inc., which specialized in the distribution of high-quality alcoholic beverages, primarily Martini.

Entrepreneurial talent helped the young businessman sell large quantities of alcohol and supplement the assortment with Bailey’s liqueur, whiskey, etc. Soon the Roust Inc. company has become Russia's largest importer of elite alcohol.

The 1998 crisis stopped the development of the elite alcohol market. Tariko soberly assessed the current situation and decided to start creating his own alcohol brand. The target audience of the new brand called “Russian Standard Original” is patriotic middle-class Russians.

Immediately after the default (August 1998), Russian Standard vodka appeared on store shelves. Soon this product took a leading position among high-quality alcoholic products. Expanding the range, Tariko released the Russian Standard Platinum and Empire brands. Gradually, the entrepreneur ensured the sale of Russian Standard vodka in 40 countries.

The young businessman dreamed that Russian Standard would be associated with Russia in the same way that Sony was associated with Japan, and Coca-Cola was associated with the USA. At first, this brand of vodka was produced at the Liviz plant (St. Petersburg). But in 2006, Tariko opened his own factory and also acquired domains to promote the product on the international market.

In 2011, Tariko bought a 9.9% stake in Central European Distribution Corporation, a large Polish holding company engaged in the production of vodka products. Soon the share of the Russian entrepreneur's shares increased to 19.5%. However, in 2013, CEDC filed for bankruptcy. When restructuring the holding's debt, Tariko bought 100% of the shares. As a result, Russian Standard included more than ten famous alcohol brands in its portfolio: Absolwent, Zubrowka, Parliament, etc.

Rustam Tariko has three children - twin daughters Anna and Eva and son Rustam.

An entrepreneur is engaged in charitable activities. Thus, Tariko’s most famous charitable organization was the Russian Standard social support fund, which helps people who find themselves in difficult situations - victims of disasters, the unemployed, the disabled and low-income citizens.

The “Gifted Children of Menzelinsk in Moscow” foundation has become widely known, helping talented children from the entrepreneur’s hometown obtain a higher education and get a prestigious job.

State

Tariko earned his first million in 1994 by importing elite alcohol. The capital of the talented entrepreneur increased every year. In 2006, Finance magazine compiled a ranking of the richest people in Russia. Then Rustam Tariko, with a capital of $1.16 billion (as of December 31, 2005), took 45th place among ruble billionaires. In March of the same year, Forbes (Russian version) estimated Tariko’s capital at $2 billion and ranked him 31st among the hundred richest people in Russia.

Businessman Rustam Tariko / Photo from the personal archive of Rustam Tariko

In 2008, according to Finance magazine, Tariko took 33rd place among 500 Russian billionaires. The entrepreneur's capital amounted to $5.7 billion. However, Forbes magazine estimated Rustam’s fortune at 3.5 billion and placed the businessman in 307th place in the ranking of billionaires around the world. In 2015, Tariko was included in the “200 richest businessmen in Russia” in the Forbes ranking. ‎

Rustam Tariko now

Today, the Russian Standard holding is a single group of companies with offices in Moscow, Warsaw, London, Toronto and New York. Tariko's alcoholic products are sold in 85 countries, with annual sales volumes of almost 40 million cases. This makes the holding the second largest vodka producer in the world.

Russian Standard Bank continues to develop innovative areas - biometrics, online services from anywhere in the world, cash withdrawals at store cash desks and “one-click” transfers between clients of different banks. Russian Standard entered the top 45 European banks that accept cards in offline stores. The bank has 12,000 employees.

The Russian Standard Insurance company provides life and health insurance services. The company's client portfolio includes 2 million individuals; over the entire existence of the company, 20 million insurance contracts have been concluded.