From the first day of the war, the bank keeps up Ukraine's financial defense line, ensuring the smooth operation of electronic services, branches and ATMs (in all settlements where there is no direct military threat) and supports its customers, having abandoned a significant amount of income.
The financial results of March were significantly affected by the abolition of interest on card loans (UAH 1.3 billion of unearned income per month), the canceling of commissions for trade enterprises and on cash withdrawals, as well as commissions for most types of customer payments (UAH 1.1 billion). In March, the first reserves for expected losses due to hostilities were formed: UAH 0.8 billion for credit risks and UAH 0.6 billion for cash losses due to the destruction of premises and ATMs. In March, the bank recognized a loss of UAH 413 million.
Despite the wartime, increased costs at reduced operations and revenues, the bank remains operationally profitable: net profit excluding reserves for possible losses and revaluation of market factors (value of foreign currency and securities) in March amounted to UAH 1.7 billion . For comparison, the corresponding figure in January was UAH 4.1 billion.
Clients' funds have increased by UAH 22 billion since the beginning of the year; the growth in March was UAH 48 billion, taking into account the return of some of the balances removed in the pre-war period. Net loan portfolio after provisioning increased by UAH 6 billion in the first quarter. The Bank is the leader in the government's program in support of the agricultural sector, with 88% of loans provided by PrivatBank, and resumes lending to other sectors of the economy. In order to support the state and advance the victory, the bank invests in military bonds: the bank's share is about 40% in both the primary and secondary markets.
On March 3, the bank transferred an advance payment of dividends for 2021 in the amount of UAH 28 billion (80% of 2021 profits according to preliminary not audited reports), as well as an advance on income tax in the amount of UAH 5 billion.
As of April 14, the bank operates 1,093 branches (74%) and 6,077 ATMs (70% of the total fleet).
