Ukraine’s central bank has further relaxed currency restrictions for businesses, while European lenders stepped up financial guarantees for local banks, in a bid to support companies operating under wartime conditions and stimulate economic activity, reported Ukraine Business News.

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) said it had introduced a new borrowing limit giving companies greater flexibility in using funds raised abroad. Under the revised rules, firms will be able to operate within a ceiling equal to the total amount credited to their accounts at Ukrainian banks after Jan. 1, 2026. Within that limit, companies may repay existing foreign loans and interest, settle payments for imported goods, return advance payments to non-residents, finance overseas divisions and repatriate dividends beyond previously established limits.

The NBU also eased rules on currency transfers linked to consumer returns. Sellers and manufacturers will now be allowed to transfer foreign currency to individuals’ accounts for returned or undelivered goods, provided refunds are credited to the original payer and do not exceed the purchase amount.

In a further move to encourage exports, the regulator clarified currency rules by exempting from payment deadlines goods whose export is covered by insurance compensation from Ukraine’s Export Credit Agency. Export insurance services were also removed from the list of transactions subject to mandatory settlement deadlines.

Separately, the European Investment Bank has expanded its support for Ukrainian businesses through new guarantee schemes. State-owned PrivatBank signed an agreement with the EIB and the European Investment Fund to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with access to financing of up to €100mn. The facility includes portfolio guarantees covering between 30% and 80% of individual loans, alongside a €40mn first-loss guarantee, reducing risks for lenders.

The EIB has also provided a €6mn partial portfolio guarantee to Kredobank under the EU4Business Guarantee Facility II programme, part of a wider €300mn initiative aimed at improving lending conditions for Ukrainian businesses.