PKO BP expects zl.256 mln. profit, plans Internet and mortgage banking

PKO BP, the largest domestic retail bank, estimates its 2000 net profit at zl.256 million, in comparison to zl.286.4 million last year. "Next year we will begin offering new products, which will be accessible over the Internet," said PKO BP vice-president Wojciech Kwiatkowski. He added that next year the bank should be able to improve its solvency ratio, which dropped to 6% this year, well below the legal minimum of 8%. Kwiatkowski also said that the introduction of a centralized information system will be a priority. Next year PKO BP plans to launch a mortgage bank in which it will own a 75% stake, with the remainder held by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK). PKO BP also plans to open 80 new outlets next year, to add to its current network of 1200 branches. (Puls Biznesu, p.8) P.J.