Page 43 - UKRRptNov22

8.1.2 Loans
Overall, solvent banks’ net assets were up by 3.3% q/q in Q2, primarily due to the growth in funds in other banks and NBU certificates of deposit.
Corporate loan portfolio dynamics were mixed: net hryvnia corporate loans grew by 5.3% q/q, while the US dollar equivalent of FX corporate loans fell by 7.2% q/q. The growth in hryvnia lending was driven only by state-owned banks, which contributed an increase of about 30% q/q. Other groups of financial institutions saw a reduction of their net portfolios. In annual terms, the net hryvnia corporate loan portfolio increased by 27.6%, while (the US dollar equivalent of) the net FX corporate loan portfolio rose by 1.8%. Private businesses were the most active in raising loans to finance the sowing of crops.
The net retail loan portfolio shrank by 11.1% q/q in Q2, evenly across all groups of banks, due to both a decrease in lending volumes and an increase in provisioning. After martial law was imposed, loans were made only to finance the current needs of customers, while little to no mortgages and car loans were granted.
The war will restrain the recovery of lending in Ukraine. In the third quarter, banks continued to report a slowdown in lending because of the war, the National Bank of Ukraine said. It is noted that the banks participating in a relevant survey noted a slight recovery in the demand for loans from businesses and a further reduction in demand from the population. They also pointed to tightening lending standards and declining approval rates. Banks continue to expect growth in demand for short-term and hryvnia business loans. At the same time, during the next 12 months, a limited increase in the volume of corporate loans and a further reduction in retail lending are predicted. Banks believe that loan portfolio quality will deteriorate, despite a
43 UKRAINE Country Report November 2022 www.intellinews.com