Higher rating for PKO Bank Polski

The analysis included the Treasury’s shareholding in PKO Bank Polski, which increased its credibility. Standard&Poor’s justified the higher rating by a high probability that the Bank will receive support from its main shareholder in a sufficient amount and on time.

The agency took into account also the leading position of PKO Bank Polski in the market of bank services, its sources of financing and its high market value.

The rating was based on freely accessible information and it had not been commissioned by the Bank. The earlier Standard&Poor’s rating “BBB pi” was awarded on August 25, 2004.

Creditworthiness ratings of PKO Bank Polski are currently awarded by four rating agencies: Moody’s Investors Service, Standard&Poor’s, Capital Intelligence and Fitch. The Bank’s high rating has recently been maintained by Fitch.

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PKO Bank Polski is the leader of the Polish banking sector as regards financial results. After the 1st half-year 2010 it achieved a net (after tax) profit of PLN 1.6 billion, the highest in the sector. With its 28-percent market share, the Bank holds the leading position in the sale of loans, offering also preferential home loans with the government’s subsidies in addition to traditional commercial mortgages. PKO Bank Polski has been repeatedly honored in many prestigious rankings. According to Open Finance independent financial advisers, it was ranked 1st in the quality assessment of PLN and euro loans. The mortgage offer was rated the best on the market by financial comparison engine Comperia.pl as regards its adjustment to non-standard customers’ expectations. The Bank was also appreciated for the flexibility of its offer of loans that can be granted for financing different purposes. The Bank was also the prize winner of “Złoty Bankier” [Gold Banker] for the best mortgage loan on the market and the winner in the competition “Bank Przyjazny dla Przedsiębiorców” [Entrepreneur-friendly Bank], and it has the certificate of a Customer-friendly company. According to the most recent analyses by the research company SMG/KRC, among the analyzed financial institutions PKO Bank Polski enjoys the highest confidence – 3/4 of respondents to the poll trust its financial stability. PKO Bank Polski is also the most valuable brand on the Polish banking market: “The Banker” magazine’s specialists estimated its value at one billion dollars.