The total network of operating structural units of Ukrainian banks in the first half of 2016 decreased by 1,049 offices, or by 8.8%, in particular because of insolvent banks by 498 branches, according to the website of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).

According to the report, the reduction of the banks' network in the second quarter slowed to 505 units from 544 units in the first quarter.

According to the NBU, among the operating banks the following banks most of all cut their networks in the first half of the year in absolute terms: Ukraine's largest PrivatBank (Dnipropetrovsk) by 263 units, or 10.2%, to 2,325 offices, state-controlled Oschadbank (Kyiv), by 262, or 6.3%, to 3,902, and Prominvestbank (Kyiv) by 46, or 44.7%, to 57.

In addition, Pravex-Bank (Kyiv) reduced the chain by 40 units, or 28.8%, to 99 branches.

However, in January-June Accordbank (Kyiv) increased its chain by 43 units, or nearly 12 times, to 47 branches, Agrocombank (Kyiv) by 20 offices, or 46.5%, to 63 units, Artem-Bank (all based in Kyiv) by 19, or 82.6%, to 42.

As reported, the number of operating banks in Ukraine in January-May-2016 fell by 11, or 9.4%, to 106 financial institutions.