Establishing a Postal Bank will require approval from the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).

As reported by Ukrinform referring to “Ekonomichna Pravda”, this response was provided by the National Bank of Ukraine.

“According to the Law of Ukraine on ‘Banks and Banking Activities,’ acquiring a substantial share by a legal or natural person in a bank requires compliance with licensing procedures established by the National Bank. In particular, it is necessary to notify this bank and the NBU about such intentions while simultaneously submitting a complete set of documents defined by the law on ‘Banks’ and the regulatory acts of the NBU for the approval of acquiring substantial participation,” the NBU stated.

At the same time, they reported that the transfer of shares of PINbank from the State Property Fund to the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development did not require permission or separate approval from the regulator.

Additionally, the NBU noted that according to the requirements of the joint program with the IMF and in accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum on Economic and Financial Policy, any future transfer of ownership rights to a bank, including after nationalization during martial law, must occur only in compliance with the law on ‘Banks’ and after official notification, consideration, and approval of this process by the regulator.

As previously reported, in September 2024, the National Bank of Ukraine introduced the concept of a new type of financial institution – a financial inclusion bank, which will operate under a specially limited license to provide access to basic financial services in remote and frontline areas. The corresponding draft law No. 12044 was registered in the Verkhovna Rada, but on December 3, during the review, the parliament rejected it.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on January 28, 2025, made a decision to transfer the powers of managing corporate rights of shares of Public Joint Stock Company ‘First Investment Bank’ (PINbank) to the Ministry of Development, with subsequent transfer to the management of Public Joint Stock Company ‘Ukrposhta’.