History
1992
The Vseukrainsky Aktsionerny Bank was registered by the National Bank of Ukraine as an Open Joint Stock Company on July 2 (registration # 120). The Bank was founded by non-governmental organizations, enterprises of various forms of ownership, and physical entities.
1993
The VABank's regional network development was launched. The first branch in Dnepropetrovsk registered.
1995
The Bank was awarded the prestigious Euromarket Award 1995 prize for a contribution into the European common economic integration by the European Marketing Research Center.
VABank was one of the first to participate in the privatization of state-owned properties.
1996
VABank became a licensed agent of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in servicing the credit line to streamline investments in small and medium business.
In June, the Bank became an official distributor of NBU's numismatic products. Jointly with the NBU, it represented Ukraine at the 105th Convention of the American Numismatic Association — a major numismatic fair held in Denver.
1997
In May 1997, VABank became an authorized bank to service the German-Ukrainian Fund's credit line.
The Bank signed an agreement with VISA International, and thus became an associated member of one of the biggest international payment systems.
VABank became a licensed agent bank to service intergovernmental treaties.
1998
TBIH Financial Services Group N.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands) was founded to steer direct investments into the sector of retail and insurance and pension security development in Central and Eastern Europe, whose major stockholders are companies such as: TBIH: Kardan Financial Services BV (58.19% share), MidOcean Partners (24.65%), Englefield Capital (17.16%).
VABank's shareholders incorporated SGLT Ukr Limited — a subsidiary of the American investment company of Ladenburg Thalman and the French financial group Sosiete Generale (23.33% share).
The high-profile British financial journal Euromoney recognized VABank as the most attractive Ukrainian bank.
By the Resolution of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers of 13 November 1998, the Bank earned the status of an agent of the Ukrainian Government to service credit lines involved against Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers' security within the framework of international treaties.
1999
VABank began to maintain the Eurasia Foundation's credit line (USA) to support small and medium business.
The Bank's representative office in Budapest (Hungary) was officially registered.
VABank's Cup charitable tennis tournament was held for the first time and became traditional afterwards.
2000
VABank became an agent bank authorized to effect compensation payments to citizens of Ukraine who suffered from Nazi persecutions during the Second World War.
VABank's joined in servicing the credit line reserved by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine within the framework of the mining sector adjustment project jointly with the World Bank.
The Bank's development strategy of international payment cards issuance and service for 2001 — 2003 was approved, which was designated primarily for offering card-holding clients exclusive services. Within the framework of the strategy implementation, the Bank negotiated a contract with IFS International (USA), which, in its turn, was the first step in chipset technologies realization according to the EMV international standards (Europay, Master Card, VISA).
2001
TBIF Financial Services BV company — a 100% subsidiary of TBIH Financial Services Group N.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands) was founded.
VABank became an effective member of the First Exchange Trade System (FETS) Association's Settlement & Risk Management Committee — similar to the Russian Trade System (RTS) and American NASDAQ.
2002
On 14 March 2002 the Leader insurance company was founded.
2003
Moody's Investors Service rating agency awarded VABank E+ for financial sustainability and ratings for short-term and long-term deposits in foreign currency at the level B2/NP.
2004
On March 15, TBIH — SigmaBlazer Company for non-governmental pension funds asset management was established by TBIH Financial Services Group.
On 1 April, the Leader RE Reinsurance Company was founded.
On June 2, The Leader Life insurance company was established to expand operations on the market of life insurance
2005
The Ukrainian Financial Olympus National Program recognized IC “Leader” to be one of the most prospective insurance companies of Ukraine.
Leader RE Company became the Ukrainian Financial Olympus prizewinner in the nomination of Reinsurance Company of the Year.
Moody's rating agency confirmed VABank's ratings as "stable".
A Dutch company of TBIF Financial Services B.V., a 100% subsidiary of TBIÍ Financial Services Group N.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands) was incorporated into VABank's stockholders with a 9.55% capital share.
TBIF Financial Services Group B.V. founded TBI Leasing on November 15, 2005, representing TBIH Financial Services Group N.V. holding (Amsterdam, Netherlands) in Ukraine, to develop leasing business in the country.
An Austrian insurance company group of Wiener Stadtische Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft (WS) acquired a 40% share in Kardan Financial Services B.V. (KFS). A stockholder of in Kardan Financial Services B.V. is TBIH Financial Services Group NV holding.
2006
VABank secured a syndicated facility provided by Raiffeisen Zentralbank (Austria) in the amount of $15 million. In the syndicate participated 8 banks, including National City Bank, Banif, Banco Internacional do Funchal S.A, GarantiBank International N.V, Finansbank (Holland) N.V.
The VABank's business strategy was approved at a general meeting of stockholders in March 2006.
TBIF Financial Services B.V. increased its share in VABank's statutory capital up to 27.11% having acquired shares on the secondary market.
On June 8, within the framework of foundation of the first universal financial group of VAB Group was established an offering consumer lending services company VAB Express.
Vseukrainsky Aktsionernyi Bank secured a $10 million syndicated facility provided by Raiffeisen Zentralbank (Austria). U.S. and West European banks participated in the syndicate.
A foreign stockholder of the Bank — TBIF Financial Services BV — increased its share in the statutory capital of the Bank up to 48.65% by purchasing additionally issued equities.
The Austrian insurance company of Wiener Stadtische Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft (WS) transformed a 40% share block of Kardan Financial Services B.V. (KFS) into a 60% share in the framework of the statutory capital of TBIH Financial Services Group.
On June 17, within the framework of the first universal financial group foundation of VAB Group, VAB Asset Management was established.
On August 10, within the framework of the first universal financial group foundation of VAB Group, VAB Capital investment company was established.
In August 2006, VABank and Bankgesellschaft Berlin Aktiengesellschaft (Berlin) signed an import operations post-financing agreement involving Eastern and American export agencies.
On October 10, an official press conference dedicated to the first Ukrainian universal financial group foundation of VAB Group was held.
CJSC Leader Insurance Company was renamed into CJSC VAB Insurance within the framework of the first universal financial group foundation of VAB Group.
In November, the Dutch company of Clal — TBIH B.V. obtained permission from the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine to purchase the shares of VAB Insurance, VAB Life, and VAB RE Reinsurance Company, incorporated into the universal financial group of VAB Group.
2007
In February 2007, JSC VABank was renamed into VAB Bank within the framework of the first universal financial group foundation of VAB Group.
In May, VAB Bank successfully placed its debut issue in the international market to the amount of 125 million USD at profitability rate of 10,125% p.a. and with maturity date in 2010. Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank were the arrangers of the borrowing.
Investors from Europe, Asia and the USA took big interest in the project — more than 50 international investors made their proposals; final book of proposals was twice bigger than the planned issue amount.
