Cyprus-based Alkemi Limited, owned by Serhiy Tihipko, has completed the acquisition of 100% of Idea Bank’s shares from the Polish financial group Getin Holding SA. The transaction amount totaled $36.5 million, as officially announced by Getin Holding on April 23, 2025.
The sale was carried out under a conditional share purchase agreement signed on October 18, 2024. The closing of the transaction became possible after all conditions precedent were fulfilled, including regulatory approval.
On April 22, 2025, the National Bank of Ukraine approved the indirect acquisition of 100% of Idea Bank’s shares by Serhiy Tihipko, marking the final regulatory step required to close the deal. On the same day, the parties signed an additional exclusive agreement under which the seller received supplementary consideration of €169,344.
Idea Bank was established in August 1989 under the name Prykarpatlisbank to support the forestry and woodworking industries. In 2007, the financial institution came under the control of the Polish group Getin Holding SA and became part of its international banking operations.
In recent years, Getin Holding has been implementing a strategy of divesting selected foreign assets and optimizing its portfolio, focusing on key markets. The sale of the Ukrainian asset became a logical continuation of this policy.
For Serhiy Tihipko and his TAS Group, the acquisition of Idea Bank represents a further strengthening of their position in Ukraine’s banking sector. The group already owns significant financial assets, and the transaction enables it to expand its presence in retail lending and consumer finance.
Idea Bank traditionally specialized in lending to individuals, particularly cash loans and partnership programs with retail chains. Following the change of ownership, the bank is expected to be integrated into TAS Group’s financial services ecosystem, potentially including product portfolio optimization, digital transformation, and expansion of the client base.
The $36.5 million valuation reflects the current market pricing of banking assets in Ukraine under wartime economic conditions. For comparison, prior to 2022, transactions in the banking sector were concluded at higher multiples. At the same time, Ukraine’s banking market has been demonstrating a recovery in profitability, increasing the interest of strategic investors in acquiring operating institutions with an NBU license and an established customer base.
The acquisition of Idea Bank by Serhiy Tihipko is one of the most notable transactions in Ukraine’s banking sector in 2025. The deal signals the return of M&A activity in the financial segment and highlights the growing role of Ukrainian private capital in consolidating the banking market.
It is expected that, following the completion of integration processes, the new owner will define an updated development strategy for the bank, taking into account post-war economic recovery and potential growth in demand for lending products.
