"I was disappointed because the other deal would have generated income," he testified.

The deal will generate badly needed cash for Russia - roughly $12 billion at current market prices.

Jefferson predicted the deal would generate $200 million annually after five years.

Computer Sciences estimated that the deal would generate more than $120 million in annual revenue.

New attention has come from leading investment banks, which have found that small deals can generate big fees.

The deal would generate about $315,000 a year for the church while avoiding the prospect of a large apartment tower on the site.

They also take a 20 percent cut of all the profits their deals generate.

The deal could generate annual sales of up to £50m ($97m) within five years.

For starters, the original deal generated more than $250 million in fees and payments to various players.

But those deals have so far generated returns well below company guidelines.