VTB will transfer foreign securities of its clients to other brokers, and Australia has imposed new sanctions against Russia – these and other important news for Friday morning, March 18, in our daily review.

Australia has imposed sanctions against Russian billionaires Oleg Deripaska and Viktor Vekselberg. Nine banks, the Ministry of Finance and the National Welfare Fund (NWF) have fallen under the restrictions, the country’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry announced a new round of sanctions against Russia. In it, 15 Russians and nine companies fell under the freezing of assets and a ban on transactions, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

International rating agency S&P downgraded Russia’s credit rating from CCC category to CC with a negative outlook. This category means default is “more than likely” and the debt is vulnerable to default.

Ozon will prepare an offer for the company’s bondholders abroad. The company has notified the Securities and Markets Commission (SEC).

VTB has warned its investor clients about plans to transfer servicing of foreign securities to other financial organizations. Now private investors cannot buy or sell shares through VTB My Investments due to sanctions against the bank.