New Raiffeisen Bank Polska president outlines his strategy

Piotr Czarnecki who was designated to become the president of Raiffeisen Bank Polska (RBP) by the supervisory board said, "I do not intend to change the bank's strategy. It will continue to focus on SMEs and the middle class." His main objective will be to boost sales and to double the number of retail customers, as well as greatly increase the number of SME's which have accounts with the bank. RBP will also open 30 new branches, which is twice as many as it opened in 2002. "Our customers are eager to use e- banking and telephone services, but they also want to have access to our branches, which will be adjusted to each region," added Czarnecki. In 2003 the bank should receive from its owner RZB AG zl. 75 million for inves tments. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B7) M.M.