NBU head calls on law enforcers to study Soyuz and Veles banks' attempts to resume activities

The head of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has called on law enforcement agencies to study the attempts of Soyuz and Veles banks (both based in Kyiv) to resume their activities, contrary to the NBU decision on their liquidation.

"Now two banks, which we withdrew from the market for fraud and money laundering, namely Bank Soyuz (Union) and Bank Veles, have recently resumed operations through court. I promise: the NBU will not allow this, all the actions [of these banks] will be punished ... I think these fraudulent activities should be considered in courts, our prosecutor's office and the SBU need to investigate this," she said at a meeting of the NBU Council in Kyiv.

The NBU head said Bank Veles is one of the most "dirty" among banks closed down by the NBU.

"The NBU prevented withdrawing nearly $500 million under fictitious contracts by the bank," she said.

In general, according to the NBU head, the thorough judicial reform in the country, the establishment of a fair and an unbiased judicial system remain key conditions for the sustainable growth of Ukraine's economy.