Banks Under Scrutiny: NBU to Launch New Stress Test in 2026
1 January 16:07
The National Bank of Ukraine has approved the terms of reference for assessing the resilience of banks and the entire banking system in 2026.
The decision was formalized by NBU Board Resolution No. 148 dated December 19, 2025, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
The regulator reports that the assessment approach will remain the same as last year, with a focus on asset quality, capital adequacy, and banks’ ability to withstand economic shocks.
How the assessment will proceed
The procedure will consist of three stages:
- Asset Quality Review (AQR) — to be conducted by independent auditors as of January 1, 2026.
- Extrapolation of AQR results —as needed for all banks in the system.
- Stress testing —under baseline and adverse macroeconomic scenarios, with a determination of the required capital level.
In this way, the NBU will assess the banks’ ability to withstand a deterioration in economic conditions.
In 2026, stress testing will be conducted for the 26 largest banks, which account for over 90% of the assets of Ukraine’s banking system.
The list includes, in particular:
- PrivatBank
- Oschadbank
- Ukreximbank
- Ukrgasbank
- “SENS Bank”
- Raiffeisen Bank
- “Ukrsibbank”
- OTP Bank
- Credit Agricole Bank
Banks that required recapitalization based on the results of the 2025 stress test will also undergo an audit.
The regulator is effectively continuing its policy of preventive oversight of the banking sector
The regulator is effectively continuing its policy of preventive oversight of the banking sector amid the war and prolonged economic uncertainty.
The stress test allows for:
- identify weaknesses in banks’ balance sheets,
- require recapitalization in advance,
- reduce risks to depositors and financial stability.
The stress test is part of the systemic supervision that the NBU is gradually expanding.
Previously, the regulator announced that in 2026 it also plans to conduct inspections of information security, cybersecurity, and electronic trust services at six banks.
The results of the stability assessment of Ukraine’s banks and banking system are to be published by December 31, 2026.
