The NBU is reinstating the requirements to stimulate lending that were suspended after the start of the war.
The National Bank of Ukraine gradually returns requirements on banks to stimulate lending, which were temporarily suspended after the introduction of martial law. Such a decision is related to economic recovery and the need to strengthen the stability of the banking sector for further lending to the economy.
From October 1, 2025, the signs of debtor default associated with debt restructuring and changes in the terms of credit agreements will begin to apply again. At the same time, these provisions will not apply to restructurings carried out before September 30, 2025, if they complied with the rules established during martial law. Also, from February 1, 2026, banks are required to use data from the Credit Register of the NBU when assessing borrowers’ risks.
Financial institutions must update their problem asset management strategies and develop plans for their implementation by the end of 2025, and review these documents annually thereafter. From October 2025, the requirements for updating internal documents regarding risk management, conducting stress tests and assessing the value of property will also be renewed.
Systemically important banks and responsible persons of banking groups must update their business recovery plans annually starting in 2025. For other banks, this requirement will apply every two years from 2026. If the bank undergoes significant changes, the plans must be updated from 2025.
In addition, the NBU is resuming full-scale stress testing of banks using an adverse scenario. The inspection will begin in June 2025 and will cover 21 banks, which account for more than 90% of the assets of the banking system of Ukraine.
