Another successful quarter for bank ING BSK

In total, after the first nine months of the year the ING group has posted a net profit of zł.225.97 million (zł.36.2 million in 2003) and its ROE index was 10.2%. According to Brunon Bartkiewicz, ING's president, the bank's most positive results came from its retail banking activities as he said, "Our offer is straightforward and clear, without any tricks." However, the company grants less and less loans, which is now ING's most pressing problem. The bank plans to solve this by issuing more credit cards and more mortgage loans as well as by simplifying procedures connected with granting corporate loans. Bartkiewicz has not revealed this year's net profit projections, stating only that there are no reasons not to be optimistic. ING BSK is also considering changing its dividend policy. For ten years now 20% of its net profit was paid out as dividends and as the bank enjoys good financial standing a decision might soon be taken to increase that percentage. (Parkiet, p. 5) D.W.