What is Bank Pekao in Poland?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

Bank Pekao S.A. is one of the most significant financial institutions in Poland and a major player in the Central and Eastern European banking sector. Founded in 1929, the bank was originally created to serve the specific financial needs of the Polish diaspora living abroad, with early offices established in global hubs such as Paris, Tel Aviv, New York, and Buenos Aires. Over the decades, it has evolved into a domestic powerhouse and is currently Poland's third-largest lender by assets, serving a massive customer base of over five million individuals. It holds a dominant position in the corporate banking sector, where it counts a large percentage of major Polish firms as its clients. Pekao has a long history of financial innovation in the Polish market, being the first to introduce ATMs, credit cards, and a local brokerage house. It was also a pioneer in implementing biometric authentication and mobile payment systems, such as the PeoPay platform. The bank has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 1998 and is a key component of the prestigious WIG20 index. After being controlled by the Italian firm UniCredit for nearly two decades, ownership transitioned to state-controlled entities, including PZU and the Polish Development Fund, in 2017.

Related FAQs

The primary head office SWIFT/BIC code for Powszechna Kasa Oszczędności Bank Polski S.A. (PKO Bank Polski) is BPKOPLPWXXX (commonly cited in its 8-character form as BPKOPLPW).

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Pekao24 is the comprehensive digital banking platform and mobile application provided by Bank Pekao, one of Poland's largest and most established financial institutions.

Bank Pekao is widely recognized as one of the most secure and well-capitalized financial institutions in Poland, backed by extensive regulatory oversight from national authorities.

The primary head office SWIFT/BIC code for Bank Polska Kasa Opieka S.A. (commonly known as Bank Pekao) in Poland is PKOPPLPWXXX (frequently represented in its concise 8-character format as PKOPPLPW).

Yes, Bank Pekao, officially known as Bank Polska Kasa Opieki Spółka Akcyjna, is one of the oldest, largest, and most prominent financial institutions in Poland.

Bank Pekao is generally considered a viable and accommodating option for foreigners residing, studying, or working in Poland, provided certain documentation and language requirements are navigated.