Two banking sources told Reuters separately that Russian private banks Sovcombank and Expobank were interested in bidding for APB as well. Sovcombank and Expobank declined to comment.

Russia's central bank said on Monday at least three potential bidders, including one foreign investor, had expressed an interest in acquiring APB which it bailed out earlier this year.

(Reporting by Tatiana Voronova; Writing by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Mark Potter)