Banking In Brief: MultiBank; PKO BP's debut; BRE Bank; Broker FM

MultiBank, a branch of BRE Bank, has opened five franchising outlets that helped it reach customers in medium-sized cities. The solution has also proved profitable for MultiBank's partners and the institution now plans to set up 20 more franchising outlets by the end of the year. (Parkiet, p. 5) ... The State Treasury has promised to send the plan concerning PKO BP's IPO to the Securities and Stock Exchange Commission (KPWiG) by the end of July, revealed Jacek Socha, State Treasury Minister. He forecasts that the commission will allow PKO BP to start trading on the WSE by August 31. (Parkiet, p. 5) ... The retail branch of BRE Bank closed 2003 with a loss of zł.140 million. Its 2004 Q2 results are promising and the company hopes to break even in 2005. (Parkiet, p. 5) ... The debut of Broker FM, the largest commercial radio broadcaster, expects higher Q2 margins despite weaker sales for the period ending June 30, deputy CEO Marek Dworak told Parkiet. The broadcaster has raised an estimated zł.103 million in its IPO last month. Broker FM will start trading on the Warsaw Stock Exchange this Wednesday. (Parkiet, p. 5) J.J.