Ukraine’s Unex Bank, controlled by investment banker Tomas Fiala, is facing initial financial headwinds and increasingly shifting its focus toward servicing the gambling industry. As of the current period, the financial institution reported a cumulative year-to-date loss of 2.41 million UAH alongside a highly concentrated asset portfolio.
The primary driver behind the declining financial performance is credit exposure to major Ukrainian corporations, including Nova Poshta and Rozetka, both currently experiencing operational challenges in servicing their loans. To offset these losses, Unex Bank has actively entered the high-risk gambling payments sector.
Unex Bank’s entry into the casino and bookmaking service market was facilitated by technological partnerships. Processing company Ukrcart—owned by Ihor Fisun (co-owner of Oxi Bank and a business partner in Pin Up casino)—serves as the primary technological operator for Fiala’s bank.
«Currently, state-owned Sense Bank services roughly 80% of Ukraine’s gambling industry. The remaining 20% was previously split among Alliance Bank, Evroprombank, and Oxi Bank. Now, Unex Bank has joined this market niche,» market analysts report.
These financial ties extend further into tech infrastructure: payment company Yedynyi Prostir, associated with Ihor Zotko and Ihor Fisun, processes transaction fees for government services via the Diia mobile application.
Beyond its involvement in high-risk payment processing, financial analysts highlight potential vulnerabilities in the bank’s balance sheet. Out of total assets valued at 6.5 billion UAH, more than half—3.2 billion UAH (approx. $80 million)—is held in securities.
Industry experts view such a concentrated investment strategy as exceptionally high-risk within the current economic environment, advising depositors and corporate clients to closely monitor the bank’s long-term financial stability.