Small business lending remains a priority for Idea Bank, which continues to actively provide entrepreneurs with loans to finance current needs and other goals. At the end of the first nine months of 2026, the portfolio of loans issued to entrepreneurs grew by 46.5%, and the maximum amount for the key small business product is UAH 1 million. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine citing Maryna Holovanova, Director of the Business Client Department at Idea Bank.
Portfolio growth against tightening market conditions
According to Holovanova, the banking market as a whole is currently seeing an almost complete phase-out of quick financing programs or a radical tightening of requirements for the smallest borrowers. Against this background, the bank representative notes, small business customers at Idea Bank continue to receive the funds necessary for development, and demand for financing from entrepreneurs in 2026 remains high. Thus, the bank occupies a niche where many competitors are reducing their presence, keeping credit products accessible for the sole proprietorship segment.
Who applies for loans and for what purposes
Entrepreneurs operating in the retail trade of industrial goods, public services, and retail trade of food products apply for loans most frequently. Financing is also needed by restaurants and cafes, entrepreneurs in the logistics and transport sector, as well as sole proprietors who own their production facilities. By purpose breakdown: 60% of applications are for financing current business needs — purchasing fuel, equipment, and repairing commercial premises; 15% for purchasing goods and commercial vehicles; and the remaining 25% for replenishing working capital to settle accounts with counterparties.
Terms of key products
One of the basic credit products for small businesses is the "First Credit with Idea" with a maximum amount of up to UAH 1 million. The terms include a one-time commission of 1.1% and a monthly commission of 2.2%. The loan is offered to new clients — sole proprietors whose business has been registered for more than 12 months. If the business has been operating for less than a year, the bank offers a microloan of up to UAH 500,000 with an annual rate of 67.5%. Holovanova also emphasized that Idea Bank actively works with individual credit offers: an identified client whose credit history the bank can see and has verified receives an automatic decision on the possibility of obtaining a new loan in accordance with their solvency, without human intervention. This applies to all the bank's credit products.
Settlement and cash services without price increases
In addition to lending, Idea Bank offers settlement and cash services to entrepreneurs. Today, four RCC packages are available for sole proprietors: "Ideal Start", "Ideal Entrepreneur", "Ideal Business", and "Ideal International". The "Ideal Start" package provides free account opening and two months of free RCC. It is separately noted that in 2026 Idea Bank did not increase the cost of servicing business clients: RCC package prices remained at the 2025 level.
JSC "Idea Bank" operates on the basis of NBU license No. 96 dated November 4, 2011, is entered in the State Register of Banks under No. 46, and is a participant in the Individual Deposit Guarantee Fund.
