Bucha Hromada Expands Access to Banking Services — What It Means for Remote Communities
Money prefers silence, but access to it solves everyday problems. Bucha City Council and Oschadbank have agreed on steps to install ATMs and payment terminals in starosta offices and to promote the updated mobile app — an important signal for residents of remote communities and for small businesses.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
March 9, 2026 · 2 min read
About the meeting
A working meeting took place at the Bucha City Council between community representatives and Oschadbank. Participants — Tetyana Lipinska, head of the Department of Economic Development and Investments of the Bucha City Council, starostas of the settlements and representatives of municipal enterprises — agreed on practical steps to expand banking infrastructure and implement digital services in the community.
What was agreed and why it's needed
The parties discussed the possibility of installing ATMs and payment terminals in starosty offices so residents can more easily withdraw cash and pay for services without traveling to central branches. Oschadbank also presented its updated mobile app, which allows users to access the full range of banking services online — from paying utilities to receiving social benefits.
The decision is pragmatic: in remote communities every trip to a bank is a drain on time and carries risks. Access to local infrastructure and convenient digital tools supports pensioners, private entrepreneurs and municipal services, and also increases the resilience of the local economy during recovery.
Positions of the parties
"We are working to ensure that banking services are available not only in the center, but where people live — in starosty offices and small settlements. This is a matter of convenience and safety for our residents,"
— Tetyana Lipinska, head of the Department of Economic Development and Investments of the Bucha City Council
Bank representatives showcased the app's technical capabilities and said they are ready to coordinate the logistics of placing equipment together with local authorities and municipal enterprises. This form of cooperation aligns with the broader trend of digitizing financial services in Ukraine and is an example of practical municipal-bank interaction.
What's next
The next stage is a technical survey of potential locations, agreement on security and service requirements, and a schedule for equipment installation. For residents this means fewer trips for services, faster access to payments and more stable servicing of local businesses. For the community — a step toward digital infrastructure that eases daily operations and strengthens economic autonomy.
In short: the agreement between the Bucha council and Oschadbank is not a grand announcement, but practical work that will have a direct impact on the safety and comfort of life for residents of remote settlements.
