In an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, the Chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny, expressed hope for the restoration of investments in the banking sector in 2025. He emphasized that the key factors for this are maintaining macro-financial stability, a well-thought-out fiscal policy, and, most importantly, reducing security risks.
Pyshny noted that the bill on the privatization of state-owned banks adopted by the parliament creates new opportunities for attracting private investors. According to the memorandum with the IMF, Sense Bank and Ukrgasbank are identified as priorities for the start of the privatization process. “I hope that 2025 will bring good news,” he noted.
The NBU's sustainability assessment showed that all banks meet regulatory requirements. Pyshny stressed that the banking system has operating profits and a growing appetite for lending, reflecting positive changes in the income structure.
However, there are serious obstacles to investment, including a protracted war and unstable tax policy. “Raising the tax on bank profits to 50% is an extraordinary measure, but its repetition complicates communication with investors,” Pyshny explained.
The NBU Chairman also commented on the decrease in the number of financial market participants from 67 to 62 over the past two years. The withdrawal of banks is associated with various factors, such as insolvency and systemic violations of financial monitoring requirements. Pyshny noted that some banks independently decided to abandon their licenses after assessing their condition.
