AUB News

On October 17, the 63rd meeting of the associate members of the European Banking Federation (EBF) took place in Tirana, the capital of Albania. The event brought together representatives of national banking associations from the EU, the Western Balkans, the Caucasus, and Turkey to discuss key trends in financial policy, payment innovations, and the challenges of rebuilding European economies. Petro Pekur, Vice President of the Association of Ukrainian Banks, took part in the event, representing the Ukrainian banking sector.

The meeting agenda included the latest review of EBF activities and financial trends at the EU level, a presentation on the development of the Albanian banking sector, and a panel discussion on current trends in payments and digitalization.
A separate section featured an empirical report on bank employees' vision for the future of the industry — a study by the Association of Banks of Serbia that highlighted new approaches to banking education, staff training, and innovation.

AUB Vice President Petro Pekur informed his colleagues about the state of the Ukrainian banking system, which has demonstrated impressive resilience during the war, and spoke about key macroeconomic indicators that confirm the stability of the financial sector, as well as its gradual adaptation to European standards.
According to Petro Pekur, the AUB report on the state of the Ukrainian banking system was received with understanding and partnership support.
During the EBF meeting, the Association of Ukrainian Banks reached partnership agreements on cooperation.
“We have agreed with the associations of Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Hungary to hold bilateral talks to strengthen cooperation between our banks, particularly in the areas of factoring, trade finance, and the participation of businesses from these countries in Ukraine's reconstruction projects,” said Petro Pekur, Vice President of the Association of Ukrainian Banks.
He also announced that the European Banking Federation had invited the Association of Ukrainian Banks to participate in the International Banking Summit “Banks in a Deglobalizing World: Promoting the Economy and Society,” which will take place on January 28, 2026, in Brussels.

The European Banking Federation remains a key platform for the integration of Ukrainian financial institutions into the European space. The participation of the Association of Ukrainian Banks in such events is a practical step towards creating new financial opportunities for Ukrainian banks, businesses, and partners interested in cooperation in the field of post-war reconstruction and sustainable economic growth in Ukraine.
The 63rd meeting of the associate members of the European Banking Federation (EBF) concluded with a traditional tour de table, during which representatives of the countries shared national cases of reforms and challenges in the financial sectors.