The nationalization of Sense Bank in 2023 was supposed to be an example of how the state, in wartime conditions, could quickly, relatively cleanly from a legal standpoint, and institutionally responsibly take control of a systemically important financial asset. However, just two years later, a different question arises around the bank: has nationalization transformed from an instrument of financial stability into a mechanism for strengthening the political influence of certain individuals for their own interests, personnel control, and the erosion of corporate governance standards?
One of the key figures in this discussion is Vladyslav Vlasiuk — a member of the Supervisory Board of Sense Bank and adviser-commissioner of the President of Ukraine on sanctions policy. He was appointed to the Sense Bank Supervisory Board on July 22, 2023 — effectively at the moment the bank transitioned into state ownership. It is known that since May 2022, Vlasiuk has served as an unpaid adviser to the Office of the President, and on August 16, 2024, he was appointed Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy.
