Bank Forum
Bank Forum (full name – Public Joint-Stock Company "BANK FORUM") is a Ukrainian bank headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. Founded in 1994, the bank was acquired by Smart Holding in 2012.
 | |
| Type | JSC |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial services |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Kyiv, Ukraine |
Key people | Vadym Berezovyk, CEO; Sascha Klaus, Chairman of the Supervisory |
| Products | Retail, commercial and commercial real estate banking |
Number of employees | 3,500 (end 2010) |
| Website | www.forum.ua |
Ownership and management
On September 17, 2007 the shareholders of PJSC "BANK FORUM" and Commerzbank AG (Germany) have signed an agreement on acquisition by Commerzbank AG of 60% plus one share of Bank Forum. As of 01.11.2011, Commerzbank AG owns a 96.06% stake in PJSC "BANK FORUM". Shareholders: Commerzbank AG - 96,06% State Street Bank and Trust Company - 1,50% Other shareholders - 2.44% Chairman of the Board of Bank Forum Commerzbank Group is Vadym Berezovyk.
July 30, 2012 Commerzbank sold its stake to Ukrainian Smart Group.[1]
The bank is currently under liquidation according to the National Bank of Ukraine.[2]
Activities
Bank Forum operates at the Ukrainian market since 1994 and today is one of the largest banks in Ukraine according to the classification of the National Bank of Ukraine. The main shareholder of Bank Forum since 2007 is Commerzbank Group (Germany), one of the leading European banking groups.
Bank Forum is a universal bank which offers a full range of banking services, follows modern standards of banking business and as of today serves over 500 000 customers.
The bank’s annual financial statements are confirmed by independent international auditors. Every year Bank Forum is being rated by leading international rating agencies Moody’s Investors Service (since 2004; ratings as of 1 December 2011: B1/B3) and Fitch Ratings (since 2006; rating as of 1 December 2011 is B).
Bank Forum has been cooperating with international financial organizations and has had correspondent relations with many leading banks worldwide. Since 2001 Bank Forum has been closely cooperating with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), implementing in Ukraine a number of joint programs: Lending Program for Small and Medium-Size Business, Microlending Program, Trade Facilitation Program, Mortgage Lending Program. In December 2007 Bank Forum became a participant of the all-Ukrainian EBRD program on energy efficiency increase.
Bank Forum was the first Ukrainian banking institution to conduct private placement of 10% of its shares among foreign investors (in 2005), and in 2006 issued and successfully placed Eurobonds.
Bank Membership
- MasterCard International
- VISA International (principal member)
- Association of Ukrainian Banks (AUB)
- EBRD Agent for a number of business financing programs
- American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (ACCU)
- Deposit Guarantee Fund
- First All-Ukrainian Bureau of Credit Histories
- Ukrainian Interbank Currency Exchange
- Professional Association of Registrars and Depositories
- Ukrainian Credit-Bank Union
- PFTS Stock Exchange
- Joint ATM network ATMoSfera
- Joint ATM network Euronet