AUB News

On December 4, Kyiv hosted the 20th (extraordinary) Congress of the Association of Ukrainian Banks, which was accompanied by a solemn ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of the AUB. The event was attended by representatives of banks, non-bank financial institutions, payment companies, as well as regulatory and state institutions.

During the official part of the event, the Association's delegates discussed issues that determine the priorities for the further development of the AUB and its governing bodies. In the evening, the delegates were joined by participants in the solemn part of the event — more than 320 guests, including heads of the National Bank of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, members of parliament, representatives of state and private banks, financial companies, international partners, and public organizations.

The 35th anniversary of the AUB became a major meeting of representatives of state institutions, the financial market, international partners, and the public sector, bringing together government, business, the financial community, and representatives of civil society in one place.

A new starting point for the banking community: decisions that determine the future

On the evening of December 4, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II reminded us not of the past, but of the future. Representatives of 82 members of the Association of Ukrainian Banks took part in the event. More than fifty authorized delegates, who ensured a quorum, began the work of the 20th Congress, at which issues important for the further development of the financial community and the activities of the AUB were submitted for consideration.
AUB President Andriy Dubas presented a report to the delegates on the results of the Association's activities and its development priorities for the coming years. The speech outlined key areas of work, including advocacy for legislative initiatives, strengthening the role of specialized committees, expanding international cooperation, AUB participation in regulatory policy formation, and implementation of financial literacy education programs.

It was separately emphasized that the Association views the financial system not only as a set of institutions, but as a community of people who have been working in extremely difficult conditions in recent years — from a pandemic to a full-scale war. Following the discussion, the delegates unanimously supported the activities of the AUB President and approved his report.

One of the key decisions was the election of a new composition of the Association's Council, the body that determines the strategic trajectory of development. It includes the heads of leading banks, non-bank financial companies, payment institutions, and organizations that shape the country's modern financial ecosystem.

This update demonstrated that the AUB has long gone beyond the boundaries of a classic “banking club” and unites all segments of the market.
Another important step was the approval of the new version of the AUB Charter. These changes enshrined the possibility of online participation in Congresses and voting, clarified the requirements for quorum and the decision-making system. In the context of war and rapid digital transformation, such norms are not just a technical innovation. They are proof that the Association is adapting to the realities of the times and modernizing its corporate governance in line with European standards.

An anniversary that united Ukraine's financial community

More than 320 guests gathered for the formal part of the AUB's 35th anniversary celebration, including representatives of the National Bank of Ukraine, ministries and agencies, members of parliament, banks, non-banking institutions, fintech companies, international partners, and public figures.
It was an evening when Ukraine's financial community saw itself as a united force: different market sectors, different companies, different institutions — but one story.
The welcoming speeches emphasized that for decades, the Association has been not only a platform for discussion, but also an institution that has participated in the most important stages of the state's formation: from the development of banking legislation to monetary reform, from the first crises to the current challenges of war.

The welcoming speeches included words from both Ukrainian and international partners. In particular, the Association was congratulated by Maria Abascal, Chair of the Executive Committee of the European Banking Federation, who emphasized the importance of long-term cooperation between the Ukrainian and European financial sectors. In his address, AUB President Andriy Dubas emphasized that for decades, the Association has been not only a discussion platform, but also a full-fledged institution that has been involved in key stages of the state's development: the formation of banking legislation, the launch of monetary reform, the passage of crisis periods, and ensuring the stability of the financial system in wartime.

AUB documentary film: from the economic turbulence of the 1990s to financial European integration

One of the highlights of the evening was the premiere of a short documentary film created especially for the anniversary. The screen flashed images of the formation of the Ukrainian financial system: the chaos of the first years of independence, work on the future hryvnia, the first banking standards, crises that tempered the sector, and the current period, when the financial system is withstanding the blow of a full-scale war.
The film featured comments from key figures in the financial sector, including Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine in 2005–2010 and Chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine in 1993–1999; Oleksandr Sugonyak, long-time President of the AUB; Stanislav Arzhevitin, Chairman of the AUB Council and Chairman of the Board of AB “AZIO” in 1991–2004; Mykhailo Dovbenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Financial Policy and Banking in 2014–2019; Stepan Kubiv, Chairman of the Board of KredoBank in 2000–2008, Chairman of the NBU in 2014, and First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine in 2016–2019. They were joined by representatives of the current leadership of the Association — AUB President Andriy Dubas, AUB First Vice President Vitaliy Romanchukevych, and AUB Vice President Serhiy Mamedov.

Their comments underscored a key point: Ukraine's financial system has been shaped and developed by a professional community that has maintained a balance between government priorities and market needs for many years, ensuring the sector's stability and gradual development.
Public dialogue with the NBU: priorities for 2026
After the screening, the stage turned into a platform for open discussion. Oleksiy Shaban, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, gave a public interview conducted by Serhiy Poznyak, founder of FinStream and Chairman of the Association of ATO Veteran Entrepreneurs.

The conversation focused on:

• the NBU's priorities for 2026 — maintaining macrofinancial stability, supporting lending, and restoring the economy;
  
  
• updating the regulatory framework, particularly in terms of digitalization, risk management, reporting, and working with distressed assets;
  
  
• the development of the payment market and fintech sector, open banking;
  
  
• further implementation of EU standards into Ukraine's financial legislation and the vision for the sector's development until 2030.
  

Oleksiy Shaban emphasized that the regulator will continue to adhere to an approach that combines support for financial stability with the need to maintain sufficient space for lending.
It is important that the dialogue took place in an open format, in front of a wide audience, which further emphasized that transparency and publicity are becoming an integral part of the regulator's policy and interaction with the market.

Honoring volunteers: financiers who help the country

Perhaps the most emotional part of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to employees of financial institutions who have been involved in volunteer activities throughout the full-scale war. Fifty volunteers from the Ukrainian financial community took to the stage to the applause of the audience. The awards ceremony was timed to coincide with International Volunteer Day, which is celebrated around the world on December 5.
Among those honored were employees of banks and financial companies who, from the first days of the full-scale war, have been organizing the evacuation of people, providing military units with transport, communications, drones, vehicles, and necessary equipment, helping hospitals and communities, supporting territorial defense units, and collecting and delivering humanitarian aid.
Their systematic volunteer work continues in parallel with their main activities, demonstrating a high level of involvement, solidarity within the financial community, and its readiness to respond to the challenges facing the country.

AUB President Andriy Dubas thanked everyone for their personal involvement, systematic support of the Armed Forces, and assistance to communities and victims of the war. In his welcoming speech, he emphasized that thanks to the daily work and volunteer initiatives of these people, the financial sector is making a significant contribution to the defense and stability of the country. After that, public figure Serhiy Sternenko presented volunteers from Ukraine's financial sector with special awards from the Association of Ukrainian Banks, designed specifically for this event.
This moment showed that today's financial community is not just about the economy and institutions. It is about people who, in their own way, do more for the country than their profession requires.

Awards for professional contributions: stories that shape the sector

Another part of the evening was dedicated to people whose work has influenced the development of Ukraine's financial system over the years. Among the award winners were those who participated in the creation of the AUB, shaped the mortgage market, developed risk management, built the Arbitration Court, modernized payment services, implemented standards, protected creditors, worked on financial literacy, developed tools for SMEs, and developed the Association's brand.
These stories are not about formal titles. They are about the fact that each area of the AUB's work has its own authors, initiators, and, by and large, financial architects. It is their many years of work that form the foundation of the modern financial ecosystem.

A look into the future: the financial system as the basis for reconstruction

In the final speeches of the evening, there was much talk about the future—realistic, difficult, but possible. Ukraine is entering a period when reconstruction will become the main task for the state and business.
In this process, the financial sector plays the role not only of a channel for resource distribution, but also a driver of development. Banks and financial companies will channel investments, provide loans to small and medium-sized businesses, and support infrastructure projects. The AUB, as an institution that unites all segments of the market, is the natural coordinator of this work.
Today, the Association represents 83 financial institutions. It is simultaneously the voice of the market, a platform for dialogue, a platform for professional interaction, and an institution that influences strategic decisions. Thirty-five years of activity have shown that the strength of the AUB lies in the community, and the strength of the community lies in its ability to act together.

Not just an anniversary

The 35th anniversary of the AUB is not about celebration. It is about the path taken by those who built Ukraine's financial system from scratch. About an institution that has survived crises, wars, and reforms — and has grown stronger each time. About people who know how to build trust even when the world is falling apart.
And about the fact that the future of the financial sector lies in partnership, responsibility, and the decision to act together.
It was this idea that united both the delegates of the Congress and the participants of the solemn part — people who know that a strong financial system is the foundation of a strong state.