Volodymyr Matvienko

Volodymyr Matvienko
Born	(1938-01-05) January 5, 1938 Bilka, Korosten Raion, Ukrainian SSR
Occupation(s)	Economist, politician, poet-songwriter
Known for	First chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine (1991–1992)

Volodymyr Pavlovych Matvienko (; born 5 January 1938) is a distinguished Ukrainian economist, politician, and poet-songwriter, recognized with honors such as the Hero of Ukraine and the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. He held the position of inaugural chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) from 1991 until 1992.

Early life and education

Matvienko was born on 5 January 1938 in Bilka, located in Korosten Raion. He graduated with a specialization in finance and credit from the Kyiv Financial and Economic Institute in 1959. Later, in 1967, he completed postgraduate studies at the Kyiv Institute of National Economy, where he was appointed professor of banking in 1992.

Career

His professional journey commenced in July 1959 as a credit inspector at the Zhdaniv branch of Budbank of the USSR within Donetsk Oblast. By 1964, he advanced to managing the Artemivske branch and subsequently occupied several leadership roles including deputy manager of Budbank’s Donetsk regional office, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional office, and deputy manager for Budbank’s Ukrainian SSR office between 1982 and 1987.

From 1987 to 1991, Matvienko served as chairman of the board for the Ukrainian Republic Bank under Prombudbank. In 1991, he was appointed chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine’s board, where he implemented pioneering initiatives such as reusable coupons aimed at curbing inflation and averting a significant cash shortage.

On 6 June 1991, Matvienko was elected as the first chairman of the NBU board with overwhelming support. During his tenure, he laid down the foundation for Ukraine’s national monetary framework, including credit regulation systems, facilitation of international economic activities, and mechanisms for monetary settlements.

In September 1991, he addressed crucial legal and economic obstacles concerning the introduction of Ukraine’s national currency. He underscored the importance of monetary reform alongside establishing pricing policies and exchange rate management.

Concurrently, progress was made on developing the Ukrainian hryvnia. The currency’s artistic design was crafted by painters Vasyl Lopata and Boris Maksimov, with Matvienko approving prototypes and endorsing large denomination banknotes produced by Thomas de la Rue in London.

Following Budbank’s transformation into a corporate entity in 1992, Prominvestbank was created with Maksimov as its leading shareholder. In 1997, Matvienko founded the Kyiv Institute of Banking and fulfilled duties as its rector for fourteen years.

He later received honorary memberships across various Ukrainian academies specializing in architecture, economic cybernetics, environmental sciences, engineering, and economics.

Books

Matvienko has authored an extensive collection of works covering philosophy, banking, and economics, including:

• State and Banks (1996)
• Autograph on the hryvnia (2000)
• Reflections of the banker (2002)
• Prominvestbank: Reproduction Strategy (2002)
• Desired and Real (2003)
• Philosophical and Economic Views (2003)
• From the point of view of the world (2020)
• I love my Ukraine (1997)
• On my native expanses (1999)
• Song of my star (2001)
• Souls of my excitement (2001)
• Oberem of memory (2001)
• Witty words (2000; 2005)
• My village (2004)

Philanthropy

During his tenure as chairman of Prominvestbank, Matvienko actively championed initiatives in education, the arts, and cultural development both within Ukraine and internationally. Between 1992 and 2008, the bank extended support to war veterans, people with disabilities, and underprivileged children. Additionally, he financed medical research institutions and played a role in the restoration of prominent cultural sites such as Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery.

Matvienko concentrated efforts on his native village of Bilka by overseeing various infrastructure developments. These included the establishment of a House of Culture featuring a heritage museum, a healthcare clinic, a school named after him, residential complexes, a Youth Stage facility, a coffeehouse, and cottages. He also led the expansion of telephone services throughout Korosten and surrounding rural areas. In recognition of his impact, the village square in Bilka was renamed Maidan Volodymyr Pavlovich Matvienko in 2012.

Personal life

Matvienko is married to Halyna Pylypivna, and they have two children: Irina and Pavlo Matvienko. Pavlo is an economist who serves as the head of the All-Ukrainian Union "Democrats."

In 2008, Fokus magazine listed him as Ukraine’s 21st wealthiest individual, estimating his net worth at $1.015 billion in 2023, up from $995 million the year before. Later that same year, Korrespondent ranked him 20th among the country’s richest people. Together with his son, Matvienko oversees operations at National Credit Bank in addition to Prominvestbank. His combined assets were valued at $1.43 billion but experienced a decrease of $520 million within that year.

Awards and recognitions

The minor planet 6622 Matvienko was named to honor him by the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. His signature appears on one of the earliest banknotes issued by independent Ukraine. In 2004, President Leonid Kuchma bestowed upon him the title of Hero of Ukraine Order of the State in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Ukraine’s banking sector and public service.

Notable distinctions include:

• Hero of Ukraine Order of the State (20 October 2004)
• Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise Fourth Class (30 August 2002)
• Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise Fifth Class (25 December 1997)
• Honorary Award from the President of Ukraine (22 August 1996)
• Order of Friendship of Peoples (1986)
• Jubilee Medal commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin’s birth (1970)
• Medal marking the 1500th Anniversary of Kiev (1982)
• Honored Art Worker of Ukraine (21 August 1999)
• Honorary Award from Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Arts (2004)
• Diplomas awarded by Verkhovna Rada and Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (2003–2004)
• International Biographical Centre Man of the Year for 1998–1999
• Honorary Professorship at International University Vienna
• Honorary Membership on the Board of Directors at American Biographical Institute