KYIV, Jan 22 - Ukrainian banks maintain positive expectations regarding the growth in lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), as well as the population over the next 12 months, according to the report "Credit Conditions Survey" posted on the website of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).

According to the central bank, 72% of the banks surveyed expect an increase in the corporate loan portfolio over the next 12 months, with the corresponding expectations remaining for the fifth consecutive quarter.