In the first quarter of 2025, the banking sector of Ukraine demonstrated a noticeable revival of lending activity. As reported by the National Bank of Ukraine, banks significantly increased the volume of hryvnia loans for both businesses and the population, which indicates strengthening confidence in the financial system and the readiness of the economy to recover.

Over three months, the net portfolio of hryvnia loans for legal entities grew by 9.5%, and in annual terms - by 28.4%. Banks of all groups participated in financing, which mainly directed funds to support the agricultural sector, wholesale trade, construction and mechanical engineering. Medium-term loans (1–3 years) gained particular momentum, which increased by 21.6% per quarter.

It is indicative that businesses are increasingly turning to market, rather than subsidized, financing. The share of loans issued under the state program "Affordable Loans 5–7–9%" decreased to 31.2% in the total business loan portfolio. This indicates the attractiveness of market lending conditions and reduced dependence on state support.

Lending to the population developed no less dynamically. In the first quarter of 2025, banks issued 6.7% more hryvnia loans to individuals than in the previous quarter, and in annual terms the growth was 35.9%. The main share of this growth was formed by unsecured consumer loans, although mortgages are growing more slowly due to changes in the "e-Housing" program.

At the same time, the quality of the loan portfolio is improving. The share of corporate clients who defaulted on hryvnia loans decreased to about 3%, which is even a better result than before the full-scale war. According to the updated European-standardized methodology for accounting for non-performing loans (NPL), the total share of such loans decreased to 28.6%, and excluding old debts of state-owned banks - to 17.1%.

Positive dynamics are also observed in the deposit sector. Hryvnia savings of the population in banks increased by 0.5% per quarter and by 12.5% ​​annually. More investments are being made in term deposits, the share of which increased to 34.3%, and the level of dollarization fell to 31.1% due to the strengthening of the national currency. At the same time, the cost of new deposits is increasing - the average rate for the population reached 9.8% per annum, and for businesses - 9.1%.

Overall, the banking sector continues to recover. In the first quarter of 2025, solvent banks received a net profit of UAH 40 billion. The bulk of this result was provided by state-owned banks - their share was 65.7%. Credit activity, moderate provisioning, and high operating efficiency have become key factors in the stability of the financial system.