KIEV, Feb. 17 – A total of 35% of all operating Ukrainian banks posted net losses in 2009, according to the National Bank of Ukraine.

The total net loss of the 179 operating banks in Ukraine in 2009 reached UAH 31.492 billion, while in 2008 the net profit of the 182 operating credit and financial institutions came to UAH 7.304 billion.

Total losses of the Ukrainian banking system in Q4, 2009 jumped by 50.4% or UAH 10.548 billion, although over the period the number of operating banks fell by three: the NBU decided to liquidate Ukrainian Financial Group Bank, Eastern-European Bank and Bank for Regional Development, while Deutsche Bank DBU started operations.