Belka: I'm in favor of domesticating banks

Marek Belka, the head of Poland's National Bank, told lawmakers on Wednesday that Poland's banking system was strong and stable, and that the bank's management of the economy after the 2008 financial crisis was a great success. "The fact that Poland did not fall into recession has allowed the National Bank of Poland to avoid a departure from conventional politics... it seems to me that the interest rate policy has been successful. Very successful," Belka stressed. The former Minister of the Economy also claimed that he supports "domesticating" lenders in the country, adding that this doesn't mean they would take less risk. "I'm in favor of domesticating banks, I've said this many times. At the same time, my stance is not that clear-cut and enthusiastic, I know that whether a bank is home-based or foreign, it is not immune to risky behavior." "It's not the shareholders that matter, but where the bank is based, where decisions are made," Belka assured. He also said he didn't consider Swiss franc denominated mortgages as a macroeconomic headache.