OREANDA-NEWS. October 04, 2010. Please note that the negative information about our bank that has flooded the media recently does not correspond to reality and is fully based on fictitious or distorted facts about the current status of Bank Forum. Such information has no basis. The regularity with which this information appears, one-sided presentation of facts and other texts features entitle to assume that this a planned action of our ill-wishers, reported the press-centre of BANK FORUM.  

Bank Forum is a stable and financially healthy organization. At the moment our bank goes through a comprehensive program of internal restructuring. As a result of the program, Bank Forum will be fully integrated into Commerzbank Group, all the internal processes will be aligned with the best international standards, and a fertile ground for the future dynamic development will be ensured. All these facts are evidence of the high level of Commerzbank interest in Bank Forum and of our main shareholder’s intentions to support and develop its Ukrainian asset. This was also confirmed by the Chairman of the Board of Commerzbank, Martin Blessing, during his recent visit to Kyiv.

The financial base of Bank Forum is growing steadily. Our shareholders support us and increase the bank’s capital strictly according to the schedule. This year alone, the authorized capital of our bank will be increased twice. It was already increased by 2.175 billion USD, or almost by two times – up to UAH 4.435 billion, according to the shareholders' decision made in March 2010. The next capital increase is planned for October. The constant support and trust of our shareholders are key to our stability and success.

Steady and continuous growth characterizes all the aspects of Bank Forum’s activity. The retail deposits portfolio grew by over 1.5 bn UAH since the beginning of the year. Despite the active growth of deposit portfolios in the Ukrainian banking system in general which is continuing since the beginning of 2010, the average monthly growth rate of retail deposit portfolio of Bank Forum firmly outruns the similar market indicator.

The increasing liquidity of Bank Forum allows improving lending conditions by lowering rates. Thus, since the beginning of the year the rates reduced four times. In general, Bank Forum loan rates for individuals reduced by 5% in the first half of 2010. Today our bank is an active player on the market of bank loans and offers competitive conditions that attract more and more new customers. For example, our mortgage program (under 17.95 % annual rate) and car loan program (under 17 %) are among the most attractive on the current market.

Bank Forum has stable trust in all the regions of its presence in Ukraine. Our International Desk also works actively. The bank develops dynamically its new business, searches and successfully finds ways to attract new clients and to develop further. In 2010 we attracted a number of important clients with a turnover of over 1 billion UAH. In general, today Bank Forum serves over 300,000 retail and 23,000 corporate clients.

Importantly, our team is growing as well. It is being constantly joined by the best sector professionals, including new Board members.

Bank Forum faces the start of a new round of active development on the territory of Ukraine. We have ambitious plans. We are striving to take 5th-7th place in the banks rating by assets, according to the NBU classification. We support and encourage sales turnover between Ukraine and Germany. We cooperate on a number of projects with the Embassy of Ukraine in Germany and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Germany.

All of the above is evidence of the high stability and prosperity of Bank Forum. Certainly, our success can cause displeasure and envy of competitors. Fabricated and false information about the status of our bank can lead to certain confusions. One should be influenced by such misleading information. More details about the real Bank Forum position will be willingly provided to you by the press service of our bank.

With your cooperation we will jointly reach new successes and achievements.

Sincerely,
Yaroslav V. Kolesnyk
Chairman of the Board
PJSC "BANK FORUM" Commerzbank Group.