BPS (Bank Polskiej Spółdzielczości) is the largest group of cooperative banks in Poland. There are two other similar associations, i.e. GBS in Poznań (formerly associating GBS Bank in Berlinek) and Mazowiecki Bank Regionalny. BPS SA reported a balance sheet total exceeding PLN 11 billion, which gives it the 17th place in Poland.

"Since Poland jointed the European Union, we have observed dynamic growth of our clients and their financing needs. We are not able to meet their expectations alone. What is more, the crisis is going to end next or even this year, and Poland will grow very fast. We will be ready for servicing our clients on a larger scale then" - Zbigniew Wielgosz, the President of GBP Bank comments the purpose of concluding the agreement with BPS. "Thanks to the cooperation with BPS, we financed two projects worth PLN 35 million and our clients did not have to go to Warsaw to obtain such facilities. Moreover, one of local authorities decided to issue bonds for the amount of PLN 10 million".

GBS Bank clients will incur lower costs and therefore profit from association with BPS. The association may, for instance, lend money to GBS Bank at lower costs and also offer the Bank reduced payment cards costs.

GBS Bank plans assume optimizing operations of the newly opened branches in Gorzów, Szczecin and Stargard Szczeciński. The Bank does not intend to open any new branches in near future. According to Mirosław Potulski, BPS S.A. plans to open a new back office in Szczecin. It will provide various services, such as analyzing credit applications for GBS branches. It is possible that a BPS branch will be located there as well.

GBS Bank is one of the ten largest cooperative banks in Poland and the largest one in Western Pomerania. It has been ranked 49 in Poland for balance sheet total.

mab