FUIB, together with its partners, is advancing barrier-free access in the financial sector

A roundtable «Barrier-free finance: how to make banks available to all» was held in Kyiv, organized by «Financial Club». Representatives of leading banks of Ukraine, in particular FUIB, discussed how to make financial services more convenient and inclusive for people with disabilities.

Zoya Minaieva, Head of the Inclusivity Development Project at FUIB, emphasized during the discussion that updating mobile applications and websites in accordance with accessibility standards is a large-scale process that should be implemented gradually, starting with key functions.

“At FUIB, we believe that barrier-free access is not just about technical requirements. First and foremost, it's about respect, openness, and the willingness to make every interaction with the bank comfortable for all clients,” said Zoya Minaieva.

She also spoke about the bank's collaboration with the National Bank of Ukraine on developing a practical inclusivity guide, the implementation of online sign language interpretation services in branches, and gamified training for staff working with clients who have mental health conditions.

During the roundtable, participants highlighted the importance of adapting banking services to the needs of people with visual and hearing impairments, involving experts to assess accessibility, and training staff in the principles of inclusive communication.

Currently, the National Bank of Ukraine, the NGO "Bezbariernist" (Barrier-Free Initiative), and the country’s largest banks are working to finalize a unified Barrier-Free Guide, which is expected to be integrated into institutional strategies and development plans in the next budget cycle.

The roundtable demonstrated that Ukrainian banks are actively moving toward full physical and digital inclusion, but this journey requires time, resources, and coordinated efforts from regulators, banks, and civil society organizations.

A recording of the event is available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QmvFJh0-Tk