Erste Bank Polska
Polish bank
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Erste Bank Polska SA[a] is a Polish universal bank based in Wrocław, Poznań and Warsaw. It is the third largest bank in Poland in terms of assets value and the number of outlets. It was formed in 2001 by the merger of Bank Zachodni S.A. and Wielkopolski Bank Kredytowy SA. Since 2026, the Bank has been owned by the Austrian bank Erste Group.[3]
| |
 Erste headquarters in Warsaw | |
Company type | Spółka Akcyjna |
|---|---|
| ISIN | PLBZ00000044 |
| Founded | March 7, 2001 |
| Headquarters | Warsaw, Poland |
Key people | Michał Gajewski, Chairman[1] |
| Products | Banking products |
| Total assets | PLN 276 billion (2023)[2] |
Number of employees | 9,500 |
| Parent | Erste Group |
| Website | www |
As of 2023, there are 369 branches in Poland.[4] The own branch network is complemented by franchisee partner outlets managed by individuals who cooperate with the bank based on agency agreements and offer select products and services of Erste Bank Polska, and as of 2023 there are 421.[4]
History
In March 1995, the Irish group Allied Irish Banks (AIB) acquired 16.2% of shares in Wielkopolski Bank Kredytowy from the State Treasury. In the following years, the group acquired more WBK shares to buy the control stake (80%) in Bank Zachodni in 1999. On 13 June, pursuant to the resolution of Banking Supervision Commission dated 7 March 2001, Bank Zachodni WBK was established.[5]
On 23 June 2001, the bank's shares were floated on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE).[6]
On 30 March 2010, AIB announced the intention to sell its stake in Bank Zachodni WBK S.A, and on 10 September these intentions were confirmed by announcing the buyer – Spanish group Santander which was to buy 70.36% of shares worth EUR 3,1bn from AIB. On 30 March 2011, in a tender offer, Santander acquired 69,912 m company shares taking up 95.67% of its stake.
In 2012, the Santander Group reached an agreement with Belgian KBC Bank on the acquisition of Kredyt Bank, owned by the latter. In the aftermath of acquiring Kredyt Bank by the Santander Group, the two Polish banks merged.[7][8] The entry in KRS on 4 January 2013, made Bank Zachodni WBK S.A. a legal successor of Kredyt Bank. The merged bank operates as Bank Zachodni WBK and the name Kredyt Bank is used as a trademark of some products.
On 7 September 2018, the bank was officially re-branded as Santander Bank Polska and its headquarters were transferred to Warsaw.[9]
In 4th quarter of 2018 year, retail part of Deutsche Bank Polska SA has been incorporated into Santander Bank Polska SA.[10]
In 2024, Santander paid investors a dividend of PLN 0.7601 per share for 2023. The total value amounted to PLN 11,958,281.[11]
In June 2025 Santander announced the sale of 49% of the bank to the Austrian Erste Group.
On 9 January 2026, Erste Group completed its purchase of a 49% controlling stake in Santander Bank Polska and a 50% stake in the asset manager Santander TFI from Santander Group. On 24 April 2026, the bank was re-branded as Erste Bank Polska.[12]
Capital Group
Erste Bank Polska Group encompasses companies whose core business is brokerage, asset management, investment fund management, leasing, factoring, bancassurance insurance services and private banking. Apart from Erste Bank Polska, its subsidiaries are:
- Erste Nieruchomości SA
- Erste Asset Management
- Erste Faktor sp. z o.o
- Erste Leasing SA
- Erste Inwestycje sp. z o.o
- Erste Allianz Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń SA
Shareholder structure[13]
- 49.00% – Erste Group
- 9.70% – Banco Santander
- 5.23% – Allianz Polska Otwarty Fundusz Emerytalny
- 5.01% – Nationale-Nederlanden OFE
- 31.06% – Others
Foundation
The mission of Erste Foundation established over 10 years ago (until 2001 it operated under the name of “Pomoc Ludziom”) is to invest in the development of talents and passion of children from economically disadvantaged families.
Past marketing campaigns
Before the acquisition by Santander, Bank Zachodni WBK used to create its image, among others, by means of advertisement/commercial campaigns which featured international celebrities. Among the celebrities who starred in the commercials were: John Cleese, co-founder and member of Monty Python Group,[14] comedian Danny DeVito,[15] selector of Poland's national football team, Leo Beenhakker,[16] French actor, Gérard Depardieu,[17] Antonio Banderas[18] and Chuck Norris. In April of 2013, Izabela Kuna joined the campaign and advertised the newest BZWBK product at the time – "Worth Recommending Account" with Norris.[19]
Notes
- Formerly: Bank Zachodni WBK (2001–2018), Santander Bank Polska (2018–2026)
