The banking system proved to be sufficiently prepared, withstanding the March and April missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure objects. However, certain difficulties in branch operations were observed in cities that suffered the most damage and experienced temporary power outages, notably in Kharkiv, Odessa, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and several others.
According to Serhii Mamedov, Chairperson of the Board of GLOBUS BANK, the problems with energy supply caused by missile terror should be perceived as temporary. Firstly, over two-thirds of all bank branches are connected to the Power Banking system, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, unhindered access to the internet, conducting necessary banking operations, enhanced cyber protection against hacker intrusions, and overall safe customer experience in branches.
Secondly, in case of possible disruptions in mobile operators' services in banking applications, a digital signature of the client has been introduced, eliminating the need for additional SMS verification for fund withdrawals. Moreover, the range of channels for notifying clients has been expanded, primarily through messenger apps linked to clients' mobile numbers.
Thirdly, the majority of banking operations can now be conducted remotely through banking applications, from simple transfers to installment agreements, opening deposits, bank card issuance, fund transfers to foreign bank cards with minimal fees, and obtaining loans.
The expert shared that in branches of the bank he leads, located in Odessa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy, an enhanced protocol called "Blackout" has been implemented. Its task is to ensure complete security of each operation, provide a full range of services, promptly respond to any external threats, optimize working hours according to the security situation (including targeted redirection of clients to other branches), and provide emergency assistance to clients if needed.
According to his information, in March, the number of offline visits to bank branches in the mentioned cities decreased on average by 15%, while the number of online visits through the banking application increased on average by 25% (including both existing clients and those who installed the application for the first time). Additionally, the working hours of branches, following general safety requirements for citizens (e.g., in case of air raid alerts), decreased on average by 1.5 hours.
"From October 2022 to April 2023, Ukraine has already experienced 'half a year of generators', and the experience gained proved that even in difficult circumstances, the operation of bank branches hardly changed (except in cities where temporary restrictions and hourly power outages are observed after March and April attacks). It can be said that the operation of bank branches will only stop in the worst and most difficult scenario — when the military threat becomes insurmountable, and there is a need to evacuate citizens," emphasized Serhii Mamedov.
