MOSCOW, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Russia's Expobank said on

Monday it had finalised its merger with HSBC's ( HSBC ) former

Russian unit and entered the ranks of Russia's top 30 banks in

terms of capital as a result.

HSBC ( HSBC ) transferred ownership of its Russian unit, HSBC Bank

(RR) LLC, to Expobank for an undisclosed fee in May, after

receiving the requisite approval from President Vladimir Putin,

ending around two years of negotiations and uncertainty.

Expobank had already completed the deal, but said on Monday

that it had successfully merged with the unit, since renamed to

Hvoya Bank.

Expobank said its combined capital since the start of 2024

has risen 48% to 56 billion roubles ($537.97 million) and its

assets had climbed by 44% to 256 billion roubles.

($1 = 104.0955 roubles)