GBS cooperative bank, which has been operating in Barlinek for seven decades now, has successfully managed to adapt to the free-market economy following the political transformation in Poland. 

 

“In the 1990-ies we had only two poorly equipped branches in Barlinek and Pełczyce, but we have managed to grow since then. Today we can proudly say that we dispose of 19 locations, including a well-organized modern head office and 13 branches. Our head office and seven branches are situated in West Pomerania, and we have six branches in the lubuskie region,” said Zbigniew Wielgosz during the gala organized in the Philharmonic in Gorzów on June, 23rd. Zbigniew Wielgosz has filled the position of the COE for the past 24 years and has been with the bank for more than 40 years. 

 

“In terms of organization and technology we are on a par with European banks. We consider it a great success, especially since the Polish law did not seem to encourage the development of local financial institutions over the past years.  Even after the political transformation, the authorities seemed not to understand that local Polish cooperatives were valuable, because they helped level up the chances for local communities and weaker, more vulnerable individuals.  In many countries such inequalities constitute a serious problem. 

 

Over the last 20 years GBS Bank increased its balance sheet total up to PLN 1 billion (28 times) and its aggregate capital - up to PLN 85 million. The bank has 213 employees.

 

“Despite the hurdles, we managed to make the most of what came our way over the years, and today we are counted among the leading cooperative banks in Poland,” sums up Zbigniew Wielgosz.

 

mab