Ukraine
Ukrainian central bank drops open forex auctions
National Bank of Ukraine aims to “minimise its presence” in the foreign exchange market by dealing directly with large banks via a closed system
Ukrainian governor attacks politicians over allegations of criminal complicity
Gontareva describes accusations against her as “nonsense”; says politicians are holding up passage of law designed to confiscate assets held by criminals
IMF financing ‘constrained’ policy space in Ukraine, report finds
Earlier debt financing would have been useful for Ukraine, report says, while praising central bank efforts to stabilise the financial system
Ukrainian central bank cuts rates and promises further banking reform
Personnel director becomes acting deputy governor in charge of banking supervision; Lagarde praises conduct of monetary policy but says reform must continue
Ukrainian central bank complains of failure to prosecute banking offences
Deputy governor criticises failure to bring “high-profile” court cases against suspected financial criminals; IMF has yet to announce whether it will disburse next tranche of aid
Ukraine hands more regulatory powers to central bank
Ukraine’s central bank welcomes a belated vote for key financial reform; the National Bank of Ukraine will now have powers over the country's insurance sector, which observers say is in a “questionable” state
Ukraine unveils new asset disposal system in bid to reduce corruption
Anti-corruption campaigner joins central bank governor and other officials in announcing move towards unified online system for selling assets of insolvent banks
Ukraine announces further easing of cash and forex controls as inflation falls
Ukrainian central bank signals confidence by further easing currency and forex restrictions; headline and core inflation figures both falling faster than expected, bank says
Ukraine donates $49,000 of medical equipment to Ministry of Defence
Equipment goes to five military hospitals in the provinces; national bank announces voluntary liquidation of two commercial banks
Ukraine closes three further banks, offers reassurances on another
Ukrainian central bank closes down three medium and small commercial banks, while attempting to calm fears over the country's largest bank
Ukraine unifies main rate while easing policy
Ukraine’s central bank moves to “streamline” operational framework, while adopting an easier stance in the face of falling inflation
Swiss National Bank loans $200m to Ukraine
Switzerland’s central bank will loan $200m to its Ukrainian counterpart to replenish its reserves; move comes as political uncertainty clouds future of Ukraine’s IMF funding
Ukraine eases domestic currency and forex restrictions
Ukraine’s central bank loosens restrictions on foreign and domestic currency deposit withdrawals; Gontareva says Ukraine is on track to hit inflation targets but warns of political risks
Ukraine pushes for transparency on bank ownership
Ukraine’s central bank has closed one commercial bank and warned of potential for ‘enforcement measures’ against up to 29 others, as it pushes for transparency over ownership structures
Ukrainian central bank calls for parliament to pass consumer protection law
Ukraine’s central bank has called for the country’s parliament to pass two stalled laws aimed at protecting consumers of financial services as concerns grow over provision of foreign aid
Ukraine governor reveals move towards inflation targeting
Ukraine’s central bank is already setting policy with an eye on an inflation target while it awaits a formal mandate, its governor says; banking ‘cleanup’ is ‘near the finish line’
Ukrainian central bank faces ‘difficult balancing act’
Ukraine’s central bank has boosted its foreign exchange reserves but faces high inflation and unemployment, a ‘weaker-than-expected’ recovery and possible currency pressure
Ukrainian governor: banking system 'largely cleaned up'
Ukraine’s central bank governor says the country’s commercial banking system has been largely reformed; enhancing creditors’ rights key to resumption of lending, she argues
People: Ukraine names new first deputy governor; EBA announces host of appointments
Ukrainian deputy governor promoted to first deputy governor role; EBA makes appointments and reappointments to supervisory and management boards; and more
IMF expands lending rules around countries in arrears
Fund announces new approach to lending to countries in arrears with official creditors, moving away from focus on Paris Club agreements
Sveriges Riksbank strikes $500 million swap deal with National Bank of Ukraine
Sweden’s central bank could sell up to $500 million over the next six months under the agreement, despite one deputy governor objecting to its acceptance of the responsibility
Ukrainian governor declares victory in banking sector clean-up
Valeriia Gontareva says 54 banks were put into resolution as part of the National Bank of Ukraine’s efforts to put banks on a sounder footing
Ukraine central bank awaits wider regulatory powers
Ukraine’s central bank has achieved significant reforms of the banking sector, but needs a draft law to pass to gain the power necessary to regulate the non-bank sector, World Bank analyst says
Ukraine strikes debt restructuring deal with main creditors
Agreement would see creditors accept 20% nominal haircut on $18bn worth of debt; finance minister and IMF head hail agreement and stress need for support among bondholders