The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has published a detailed explanation regarding the decision to recognize the General Director of Ukrposhta, Ihor Smelyanskyi, as not meeting the requirements for professional fitness. The regulator insists that this step is the result of long-term monitoring and has no relation to the postal operator's plans to obtain a banking license.

History of the administrative proceeding

The National Bank clarified that the assessment procedure began back in November 2025. The basis for opening the administrative proceeding was the results of supervisory activities conducted throughout the period from 2023 to 2026. During these inspections, systemic violations in the company's activities were recorded.

According to the regulator's position, the assessment of the professional fitness of executives is a standard part of supervisory practice. Experts analyze knowledge of legislation, management competencies, and the ability of top management to effectively manage processes in the context of identified problems.

The decision on Smelyanskyi's non-compliance with the requirements was unanimously adopted by the NBU Qualification Commission and the Committee for Supervision and Regulation of Banking Activities and Payment Infrastructure Oversight.

Refutation of rumors about a banking license

The National Bank separately refuted the assumption that the decision on the unfitness of the head of Ukrposhta is related to the company's intentions to enter the banking market. The regulator emphasized that Ukrposhta did not even submit documents to obtain a banking license.

It is precisely when considering a license application that the financial condition of the institution, development strategy, and compliance with other legal norms are assessed. At the same time, the NBU noted that it supports the creation of financial inclusion banks. According to the regulator, individual companies are already moving towards implementing this model, whereas only one proposal was received from Ukrposhta during the discussion of the legislative framework.

Financial indicators and corporate governance

In the explanation, the regulator emphasized that Ukrposhta remains a loss-making company. According to NBU data, in 2025 the enterprise incurred more than 400 million hryvnias in operational damage. The improvement of financial results in the reporting period was ensured primarily through the sale of assets, rather than core business activities.

The situation did not improve at the beginning of the following year: by the end of the first quarter of 2026, the enterprise recorded a loss again.

In addition to financial indicators, the regulator drew attention to corporate governance problems. Ukrposhta remains the only state operator of critical infrastructure that still does not have a functioning supervisory board.

Transparency of the procedure

The National Bank declared its readiness to ensure maximum transparency of the process and to publish the text of the Qualification Commission's protocol. However, since the document contains information constituting a financial service secret, publication is possible only after a corresponding request from Ihor Smelyanskyi or his consent to the disclosure of materials by the regulator.