Ukraine
Ukraine nationalises country’s largest bank
Gontareva says PrivatBank failed repeatedly to take necessary action, and so will be transferred into public ownership; central bank creates emergency liquidity facility
Ukraine’s central bank calls for action against illegal forex dealers
NBU says authorities failed to act against 32 illegal operations in Kyiv; says it will publicise further information on unauthorised forex dealers
Ukrainian central bank proposes abolition of forex restrictions
The central bank’s multi-stage plan includes a draft law, despite political disputes
Western ambassadors support independence of Ukrainian central bank as dispute continues
Diplomats line up behind Gontareva as the president’s attitude remains unclear
People: Ukraine promotes Smolii to first deputy governor and appoints two new deputies
Banking supervision chief and human resources head join central bank’s board
Ukrainian central bank council holds first meeting
New body has extensive powers over monetary policy and governance; NBU cuts rates for the fifth consecutive time this year
Ukrainian central bank attacks leading law-maker as political dispute worsens
Central bank governor backed by the ‘reform council’ and the IMF, but the president’s stance unclear
Ukrainian central bank says proposed law is attack on its independence
Passing law could lead to a cut-off of IMF aid, the central bank warns; calls on country’s president to repudiate law-makers
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’