KYIV, April 19 – PrivatBank's corporate governance reform and the transformation of its business model had a positive effect on the stability of the banking system, the office of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Ukraine has reported, with reference to IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Goesta Ljungman.

"In 2016 Ukraine's international partners supported the decision of the government and the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to nationalize PrivatBank, as the only effective method of protecting the bank's depositors – the Ukrainian people and businesses – and the stability of the financial system. While this required the injection of about UAH 160 billion in Ukrainian taxpayer funds to restore the bank's solvency, it secured PrivatBank's long-term viability, safeguarded the money of millions of Ukrainian citizens, and strengthened the country's economic health. In light of this, we welcome the reform of PrivatBank's corporate governance, led by an independent supervisory board, and the transformation of its business model, which has already resulted in stronger performance and sustainability of the entire banking system," the IMF press release reads.