New PKO BP head says privatization expected next year

Poland's largest bank, PKO BP, will likely be privatized next year said its new president Henryka Pieronkiewicz. "I will try to make sure the bank's management participates in all major discussions on the choice of a privatization method," she said. Pieronkiewicz added that PKO BP's market position is such that one cannot di sregard public opinion, according to which the bank should have Polish owners. Earlier this year the Treasury Ministry said PKO BP will be privatized without the participation of foreign capital and that pension funds should acquire some of the shares. Pieronkiewicz also said as she expects the market for banking services to become more competitive, PKO BP is planning a major overhaul of its computer system. "The bank soon must choose the supplier of a new, fully centralized computer system." (Prawo i Gospodarka, page 10) T.J