The banking sector of Ukraine is demonstrating significant growth even amid war and high risks. As of the end of eight months in 2025, the net assets of banks increased by 4%, while lending in hryvnias rose by 33.7% year-on-year. This was reported by Oleksiy Shaban, Deputy Head of the National Bank of Ukraine, during the Kyiv International Economic Forum.
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Significant Growth in the Business Loan Portfolio
The main driving force behind these positive changes has been business lending. The share of short-term instruments, particularly deposit certificates, is gradually decreasing, indicating an increase in business activity among enterprises.
According to the National Bank, the net hryvnia loan portfolio for businesses in September 2025 grew by 30.8% compared to the same period last year, while for individuals it increased by 32.9%. One of the market leaders, PrivatBank, provided business clients with loans totaling 50 billion hryvnias, nearly three times the volume before the onset of full-scale war.
“Every day we issue ₴160 million in new loans and remain a key source of funding for small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine,” noted bank representative Larysa Chernyshova.
Notably, in 2022, PrivatBank issued 24 billion hryvnias in loans, becoming one of the first financial institutions to resume lending after the war began.
European Integration and Attracting Foreign Capital
Oleksiy Shaban highlighted the ongoing implementation of European regulatory standards in Ukraine’s banking sector. According to him, 77% of the requirements have already been harmonized with European norms. It is expected that the European Commission’s conclusion on full compliance will open new opportunities for attracting European investments in the lending to Ukrainian enterprises.
At the same time, Shaban emphasized that the scale of Ukraine’s banking system still does not meet the needs of the future post-war reconstruction of the country. Therefore, foreign banking groups will also be involved in financing, which will expand access to resources and promote further economic development.