The consensus forecast of 20 analysts and economists polled in late February suggested the central bank would hold its benchmark rate at 4.25% throughout 2021. Forecasts for the year-end ranged from 4.0% to 5.5%.
Analysts forecast inflation would rise to 5.3% in the first quarter of 2021 before gradually slowing below the 4% target to 3.8% by the end of the year.
Russian stock indexes were falling, with the dollar-denominated RTS index down 0.3% to 1,472.3 points and the rouble-based MOEX Russian index 0.4% lower at 3,457.7 points.
Sberbank set aside 541 billion roubles ($7.4 billion) in provisions for non-performing loans last year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Russian economy and some of its clients.
He added that Sberbank, which made a net profit of 781.6 billion roubles in 2020 under Russian accounting standards, will stick to its plan to channel at least 50% of net profit to dividend payments.
Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was down 0.6% at $61.10 a barrel after hitting $61.69 on Wednesday, its highest since late January 2020.
Risk of sanctions linked to the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny upon his return to Russia for the first time since being poisoned last summer hit the rouble on Monday.
Rouble was 0.3% stronger against the dollar at 73.75 and was flat against the euro, trading at 89.45.
The Moscow Exchange will be closed for four days from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3, but many traders will be away from their desks for longer as Russia's holiday season ends on Jan. 11.