Deutsche Bank retail arm DB24 to reach Poland in 2001

Deutsche Bank plans to roll out its DB24 retail arm in Poland in the second half of 2001. As a base for DB24 operations in Poland, the German bank plans to use its subsidiary, Krakow-based Bank Wspolpracy Regionalnej (BWR). At the moment, DB24 has branches only in its native Germany. According to the bank development plan for European countries, the first foreign outlets will be launched in Belgium, with Poland as the next target. DB24 is also looking to expand its network in Italy, Spain, France and Portugal. Deutsche Bank took over BWR at the beginning of this year after the latter had run into financial difficulties. Although BWR is now operating mainly in Southern Poland, it is planning to expand north after it has launched a fully centralized computer system (slated for March 2001). As all the DB24 outlets will operate under one logo, this could mean the BWR brand name would disappear. DB24's services will be aimed mainly at medium and lower income clients. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B5) J.K.