Bank Pekao FI Day and BACEE Conference Brings Together Participants from 30 Countries Representing 120 Institutions

More than 220 representatives of 120 financial institutions from 30 countries attended the Bank Pekao FI Day & 52nd BACEE International Banking Conference, held in Warsaw on 8-9 October. Participants discussed the key challenges facing the financial sector in Central and Eastern Europe. Major topics included the competitiveness of regional economies, geopolitical developments, the condition of the banking sector, opportunities for the international expansion of CEE companies and its financing, as well as the future of trade finance.

The conference was organized by Bank Pekao in cooperation with the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe (BACEE), an international banking association established in 1996. Today, the organization has 30 members (banks and financial institutions) from 16 countries, serving as a platform for cooperation and knowledge sharing across the financial sectors of Central and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

The conference featured speakers and panelists representing the banking industry, public institutions, international organizations, and advisory firms from across the region.

The first day of the event focused on the macroeconomic and geopolitical outlook for the region, capital market development, and prospects for banks operating in Central and Eastern Europe.

One of the highlights of the agenda was the panel discussion “Leading Through Uncertainty: How CEE Banks Can Win in a Fragmented World”, featuring Cezary Stypułkowski, CEO of Bank Pekao, Michael Frieser, Chairman of the EMEA Financial Institutions Group at Bank of America, and Michał H. Mrożek, Executive Vice President and Head of Wholesale Banking CEE Network at ING. The discussion was moderated by Wojciech Chmielewski, Head of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at Bank Pekao.

"Despite the unique challenges we face, I view growth prospects for the next 12 months as stable. What we need is direct exchange of experience, mutual understanding, and relationships built on trust. Cooperation helps us better understand risks, support clients more effectively, and jointly address challenges that extend beyond national borders," said Cezary Stypułkowski, CEO of Bank Pekao.

The second day of the conference focused on trends in trade finance, supporting companies in their international expansion, risk management, the use of artificial intelligence in banking, and the future of cross-border payments.

One of the key sessions was a discussion on how banks can effectively support companies in expanding their business abroad, with a particular focus on the role of financial institutions in helping entrepreneurs pursue international ambitions. The panel featured Łukasz Januszewski, Vice President of the Management Board of Bank Pekao.

"At Bank Pekao, we want to support companies throughout their entire international journey. We help them find the right path, connect with the right partners and services, and navigate new markets more safely. We build relationships and develop solutions with the client always at the centre," emphasized Łukasz Januszewski.

Participants agreed that the resilience of the Central and Eastern European region should continue to be strengthened through international cooperation, diversified sources of financing, and support for the development of local economies. In this context, partnerships between financial institutions, businesses, and organizations working to advance regional growth play a particularly important role.