The role of the banking sector in the formation of the financial potential for innovative development of enterprises in Ukraine

The article focuses on the analysis of the current state of business innovation activity in Ukraine and explores the role of the banking sector in shaping the financial potential for innovative enterprise development. The financial potential of an enterprise is proposed to be interpreted as a combination of financial resources and organizational mechanisms used to achieve the maximum financial outcome and ensure long-term development. Particular attention is paid to the role of banks as one of the main sources of financing for innovation. The study outlines individual aspects of business innovation in Ukraine, taking into account the impact of the ongoing war and the economic challenges it has created. Government approaches to promoting accessible business lending have been examined, emphasizing their relevance during wartime. One of the ways to develop bank lending for innovative development was the state program to support small business lending "Affordable Loans 5-7-9%", introduced in Ukraine in 2020. During the full-scale war in 2022-2023, the State Program became extremely important for corporate financing of enterprises, especially in the context of the slowdown in bank lending on market terms. The research identifies perspectives for forming the financial potential of enterprises through the use of credit resources obtained not only from traditional banks but also from fintech companies operating under conditions of increasing digitalization. The article highlights the importance of affordable and rapid lending for startups, which often have a specific demand for financial resources and are expected to play a critical role in the post-war economic recovery of the country based on innovative principles. The findings presented in the paper contribute to understanding how the financial infrastructure, particularly the banking sector, can support innovation capacity and strategic development of enterprises. The practical value of this study lies in outlining directions for strengthening financial mechanisms that facilitate access to innovation funding, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises and startup ecosystems in Ukraine.