| Bank Forum | |
| Type: | JSC |
| Foundation: | 1994 |
| Location: | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Key People: | Vadym Berezovyk, CEO; Sascha Klaus, Chairman of the Supervisory |
| Num Employees: | 3,500 (end 2010) |
| Industry: | Financial services |
| Products: | Retail, commercial and commercial real estate banking |
| Homepage: | www.forum.ua |
Bank Forum (full name – Public Joint-Stock Company Bank Forum) was a Ukrainian bank headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. Founded in 1994, the bank was acquired by Smart Holding in 2012.[1]
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%The chairman of the Board of Bank Forum Commerzbank Group is Vadym Berezovyk.
July 30, 2012, Commerzbank sold its stake to Ukrainian Smart Group.[2]
The bank is currently under liquidation according to the National Bank of Ukraine.[3]
Bank Forum was founded in 1994 and operated in Ukraine.
Bank Forum was a universal bank which offered a range of banking services.
The bank’s annual financial statements were confirmed by independent international auditors. Every year Bank Forum was rated by 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).
Since 2001 Bank Forum cooperated with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), implementing in Ukraine several joint programs. Programs included a Lending Program for Small and medium-sized Businesses, a Microlending Program, a Trade Facilitation Program, Mortgage Lending Program. In December 2007 Bank Forum became a participant in 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.