WBK is a retail and commercial bank with its headquarters in Poznan in western Poland. It has a network of 141 outlets, 5,000 employees and total assets of 5,929 million zlotys (£1.186 billion). It is the 10th-largest bank in Poland when assessed on assets and the second-largest in terms of return on equity. It is expanding rapidly - so far this year 27 new branches were opened and 25 were added through acquisition. It aims to add another 40 branches by the end of 1998.

AIB took 16.3 per cent shareholding in WBK in 1995 for £12.7 million. It raised its stake to 36.3 per cent in 1996 for £35.8 million. In April this year AIB took a majority 60.2 per cent at a cost of £47.7 million.