According to Ms Nataliia Ivaneneko, Director of the Department for Legal and Methodological Support of Banking Regulation and Supervision, the banking sector of Ukraine delivered a stronger performance in 2013, as compared with that in the previous years.

“Asset side transactions performed by banks in 2013 had increased by UAH 140 billion, which was 2.5 times as much as in 2012. Loans to the economy accounted for the largest part of the increase," said Ms Nataliia Ivaneneko.

She also said that lending to the real sector had grown by UAH 90 billion in the previous year, which had been three times as much as in 2012. Loans in the national currency accounted for the largest part of bank lending.

In 2013, the banks' funding base had expanded by UAH 126 billion, which was twice as much as in 2012. An increase in the funding base of banks was due to the national currency deposits.

Household deposits, which are the main component of banks' funding base, have increased by UAH 70 billion. Ms Nataliia Ivaneneko stressed: “The deposit growth was largely ensured by an increase in the national currency deposits. Furthermore, the public gave preference to long-term deposits. This once again proved public confidence in the banking system and national currency – hryvnia".

In 2013, business deposits had grown by UAH 36 billion. This growth was ensured by an increase in the national currency deposits.

In 2013, the equity of the banking system had increased significantly. Thus, the regulatory capital of banks had risen by UAH 26 billion, whereas the authorized capital had increased by UAH 10 billion.

“The performance delivered by the banking system in 2013 suggests stability and sufficient resilience of Ukrainian banking sector,” concluded Ms Nataliia Ivaneneko.