Russia's VTB bank sells Swiss unit to Gazprombank

MOSCOW, June 9 (Reuters) - Russia's state-controlled VTB bank (VTBR.MM) sold its 100 percent stake in Swiss-based Russische Kommerzial Bank AG to another state-controlled lender, Gazprombank, VTB said on Tuesday.

VTB, which said last week it would be difficult for it to make a profit this year, said in a statement the sale was meant to streamline its operations in western Europe.

Gazprombank is the banking arm of Russia's gas export monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.MM).

The VTB statement did not name the price for the sale.

As of Dec. 31, 2008 Russische Kommerzial Bank had assets worth 2.4 billion swiss francs ($2.2 billion), loans and other funds provided to customers worth 1.8 billion Swiss francs and share capital of 101 million francs, the statement said. (Reporting by Simon Shuster; Editing by David Holmes)