Your contact
Christian LOMANKIEWICZ
Head of International Desk Poland
Christian LOMANKIEWICZ
Head of International Desk Poland
Last updated: July 2024
The International Desk based in Warsaw at Crédit Agricole Polska provides support to the Group’s business clients in Poland to help them implement their operations on location, particularly opening accounts and providing financing and banking advice.
Since 2001 Crédit Agricole has had a presence in Poland with Crédit Agricole Bank Polska, following the acquisition of Lukas Bank, a leader in consumer credit. Crédit Agricole Bank Polska still has a strong position in this line of activity. Furthermore, CA Bank Polska has become a locally-based global bank servicing individuals, professionals, agriculturalists, SMEs and big business.
Other Crédit Agricole Group business lines present in Poland:
- Leasing in the professional and corporate segments: Europejski Fundusz Leasingowy (EFL), market leader.
- Fleet management and long-term vehicle leasing. Vehicle financing and maintenance: Carefleet SA
- Truck leasing - Truck Care SA (acquired by CA Group in 2020)
- Life and non-life insurance: Credit Agricole Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń SA (CATU)
- Life insurance: Credit Agricole Życie Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń SA
- Factoring solutions: Eurofactor Polska
- Asset management : Amundi Polska
Combining solid experience with knowledge of the local market, all Crédit Agricole Group teams present in Poland offer their customers a comprehensive range of banking and insurance services. For non-banking services, the International Desk offers the support of local law and accounting firms, as well as leading partners in the internationalization of companies.
Link to website: https://www.credit-agricole.pl/klienci-indywidualni
For further information, see the list of Crédit Agricole Group locations: http://www.credit-agricole.com/Le-Groupe/Implantations-Credit-Agricole/Liste-des-implantations-version-accessible
Crédit Agricole Bank Polska in figures:
2 M customers (individuals, professionals and companies)
435 branches, including 265 own branches and 170 partner branches
4,322 employees
49 mobile advisors for agro / agri customers
Positioning and organization on the corporate market: Crédit Agricole Bank Polska is developing on the corporate market in synergy with Crédit Agricole CIB, LCL and the Crédit Agricole Regional Banks. Corporate customers are looked after by specialized advisors in 5 business centers located throughout Poland.
General Information
There are numerous commercial and investment opportunities in Poland, a country where the taxation system is quite attractive for businesses (corporate tax rate of 19%). There are no longer any restrictions on the regulation of currency exchange and dividends can be repatriated without limit.
Some economic activities are still regulated and subject to a concession, authorisation or registration in a register. It is therefore recommended to seek information from the Polish Agency for Information and Foreign Investment (Invest in Poland) or from the Ministry of Domestic and Administrative Affairs (MSWIA). Nevertheless, regulations have been considerably relaxed.
Means of Payment & Banking Specificities
Payment deadlines are shorter than in France (generally 30 days) and payment to cash accounts by SWIFT/SEPA transfer before shipment is recommended in any case. Bank cheques or cheques issued by businesses should be avoided. They are not used in Poland apart from by foreign banks that issue cheques in currencies payable outside of Poland. Poland has managed to implement a true clearing system that allows businesses to implement their payments rapidly and across the whole of Poland.
The provision of an export credit agency backed financing or, potentially, an irrevocable and confirmed letter of credit should also be considered. Avoid stand-by letter of credit. The confirmation of documentary credits in Poland is possible based on the counterparty, the length of the commitment, and the willingness to deal with the country’s risk rating.
Most transactions in Poland are still carried out by payment in advance, as advised above. Payments exceeding the equivalent in zlotys of EUR 15,000 must be carried out by transfer (and not in cash). It is recommended avoiding engaging in a local recovery procedure, not just because of the costs, but also because of the formalities. In general there is a wait of around two years to obtain a writ of execution.
Recently, a system for monitoring and identifying VAT payments is being set up by banks (regulatory obligations) to prevent embezzlement.
Find out more
Find out more
Find out more
Find out more
