Lending to Ukrainians accelerated: hryvnia loans grew by 38%

Ukrainian banks continue to rapidly increase lending to households. In August 2026, net hryvnia loans to individuals rose by 38% compared to the same month last year.

This was reported by the National Bank of Ukraine, citing updated operational statistics of the banking sector.

The pace of household lending accelerated. In July, the net hryvnia loan portfolio of individuals grew by more than 36% year-on-year, and in June by 36%. Thus, in August, the annual growth reached 38%.

Banks also continue to actively lend to companies. Net hryvnia loans to businesses — economic entities and non-bank financial institutions — in August rose by 33% year-on-year. In July, the figure was also about 33%, and in June 31%.

The NBU notes that to assess real credit activity, it is now necessary to focus on the net loan portfolio. Gross loan figures are distorted by the write-off by state banks in December 2025 of a significant volume of old non-performing loans. This effect will influence annual statistics until the end of 2026 and does not by itself indicate a decline in bank activity.

At the same time, customer funds in bank accounts continue to grow. The volume of hryvnia business funds in August increased by more than 22% year-on-year, and individuals' funds by more than 17%.

Thus, loan growth significantly outpaces the increase in hryvnia household funds in accounts: the individual loan portfolio added 38% year-on-year against more than 17% growth in their funds in banks.

The NBU clarified that August figures are operational and may be subsequently adjusted after receiving full monthly bank reports.

Based on materials from: National Bank of Ukraine, NBU statistics