NBU records growth in banks' cash turnover: what is behind the increase in cash volumes

The National Bank of Ukraine reports a noticeable increase in the volume of cash received by banks' cash desks. This trend is associated with the activation of the economy and the partial transition of certain types of transactions to the cash format. This is stated in the official message of the regulator.

The NBU explains that the economic recovery is accompanied by a number of factors that influence the increase in cash transactions. Among them are an increase in wages, the expansion of social payments, stable demand for goods and services, as well as slowing inflation and maintaining balance in the foreign exchange market. Taken together, this increases the volume of cash transactions by both the population and enterprises.

According to the regulator, for the first nine months of 2025, the volume of cash receipts to bank cash desks amounted to UAH 2,198.5 billion. This is 7.8% more than for the same period last year. At the same time, banks issued UAH 2,273.1 billion from cash desks, which indicates an increase of 10% compared to 2024.

The National Bank notes that in the third quarter of 2025, the increase in cash issuance was also influenced by security risks. In particular, the increase in the frequency of attacks on critical infrastructure, including energy, prompted citizens to form a cash reserve in case of possible disruptions.

An analysis of turnover shows that the largest volumes of cash issuance fell on transactions using payment cards - 85% of the total amount. Another 5.4% of expenditures were transactions for the purchase of foreign currency from customers, and 3.3% - funds provided to postal operators.

The structure of cash receipts also remained traditional. More than a third of the receipts were received by banks from trade revenue - 31.8%. Card transactions accounted for 24.4% of all revenues. Revenues from the sale of foreign currency (14.9%) and revenue from various services (13.5%) also made a significant contribution.

The regulator expects that further dynamics of cash turnover will depend on both the general economic recovery and the security situation in the country.