Lukas Bank's rapid growth

According to the bank's estimations, by the end of this year it will have issued 800,000 credit cards, which could make it the market leader. It also expects to run 750,000 non company accounts by the end of this year, 80,000 more than currently. Hire-purchase contracts and cash loans have also improved by 12%. Despite restructuring and the opening of new outlets, which altogether may cost up to zl.90million, the bank promises to improve on last year's profit of zl.278million. Lukas Bank is also interested in the acquisition of 200 BPH PBK outlets (which would not be included in Pekao SA) but the bank's strategic investor, French Credit Agricole may want to pay less than BPH is demanding, or prefer to invest in other countries where it is not yet present. (Puls Biznesu, p.8) J.L.