The transformation of Polish banks after 1989

a financial history lecture

2022

Warsaw, Poland

Polish banking system has undergone a series of transformative phases since 1989 – the year when communism ended. From the establishment of first commercial banks, through the period of turmoil and dynamic changes, up to the modern era of top-notch technological innovations – the history of Polish banks is an intriguing journey. It is also an important historical narrative which offers deeper understanding of Eastern Europe’s financial environment. The webinar has a form of a lecture accompanied by the presentation of archival material, photographs, and historical data.

 

Agenda

1. The first changes: ‘The Big Bang’: separation of commercial banks from the central bank
2. Banking in a centrally planned economy vs banking in a capitalist state: a comparative analysis
3. The 1990s: The banking system and capital markets take shape during turbulent times
4. The establishment of KIR (Polish clearing house) and the SYBIR system (System of Bank Clearing Houses).
5. The new role and tasks of the central bank
6. Tasks and functions of the BGK (Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego), the only Polish state development bank
7. Banking supervision and development of the two-tier banking system
8. 2000-2010: Further transformation of the banking system
9. Banking in Poland after 2010: innovation and development of alternative payment systems
10. Banking in Poland today: Directions of development