AIB Polish merger complete

The merger of AIB's two banks in Poland has been formally completed. The Polish Registry Court yesterday registered the merger of Bank Zachodni and WBK. Dealing in WBK shares will be suspended. The shares will be listed as Bank Zachodni WBK. The merged bank, in which AIB is the major shareholder with 70.5 per cent of the shares, will be headquartered in Wroclaw. The bank will be Poland's fifth largest, with a strong business base in the west and south of Poland. It will have a combined branch network with more than 419 outlets growing to 530 by the end of 2002.