In Ukraine, financial monitoring requirements have become stricter. Despite the fact that the mandatory limit of UAH 150,000 per month for card-to-card transfers has been formally abolished, banks retain it within the framework of a voluntary memorandum. Moreover, from July 2025, the limits will be reduced to UAH 100,000 per month, and for high-risk clients - to UAH 50,000.
Ukrainians' accounts are blocked even without explanation. The reason is suspicions of money laundering, signs of transit transfers, or the use of accounts for “drop” schemes.
What is a “drop” and why are banks afraid of it?
“Drops” are people who allow their cards to be used for transit money transactions. This is a typical link in money laundering schemes. Banks are required to detect such cases and block accounts.
In one case, PrivatBank blocked the account of a resident of Kryvyi Rih, through which UAH 5.2 million had passed over the year. The man was unable to explain the origin of the funds, and the court found the bank's actions lawful.
Another story is about a teacher from Volyn who, after four years, spent UAH 4.6 million on her card, with an official income of UAH 1.3 million. Her account was also blocked, and she was unable to prove the legitimacy of her transactions in court.
Why an account can be blocked
Banks pay attention to the following signs:
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regular P2P transfers in significant volumes;
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unclear origin of funds;
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transit nature of operations (money is withdrawn immediately);
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lack of explanation of the purpose of the operations.
In the case of a Cherkasy resident who lost the court case against PrivatBank, the bank recognized him as “high-risk” due to constant card top-ups without an obvious source of funds — supposedly from the sale of auto parts.
Limits that will change from July
From mid-summer, restrictions become stricter:
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total limit – 100 thousand UAH/month;
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for “risky clients” – 50 thousand UAH/month;
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for persons with confirmed income, salaries, pensions - limits do not apply;
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Transfers between your own accounts in the same bank are not subject to restrictions.
Financial expert Olesya Danylchenko emphasizes: limits by themselves do not solve the problem of "drops". A system is needed - blacklists, a ban on receiving government services, involvement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other bodies.
In her opinion, the approach should be individual. Instead of blocking everyone, banks should build “drop” profiles based on behavioral data.
Ukrainians with "white" income should immediately contact the bank with income certificates (including salary, pension, or self-employment) to increase their personal limit. Then financial monitoring will not be a problem for them.
For other clients, each incomprehensible transaction can lead to account blocking, and sometimes to its complete closure.
