Letter from the Chairman of the Supervisory Board
2
Letter from the Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Last year was marked by dynamic changes in the Polish economy. We experienced high inflation, a shock interest rate cut and a strong appreciation of the Polish zloty. The parliamentary elections in October were a major event of the past year. In autumn, Poland saw a change of government and parliamentary majority after eight years.
Unfortunately, the number of conflicts in the world has not decreased, which is visibly affecting the markets. Even at the beginning of the year, it seemed that this would be the year of the end of Russian aggression against Ukraine, but the reality has turned out to be much more brutal and the prospects for its end are remote. Despite the unfavourable circumstances , the Polish economy avoided recession. According to preliminary data from the Central Statistical Office, Poland’s GDP grew by 0.2% in 2023, with the recovery in consumption likely to have slowed down the last quarter of the previous year.
Certainly, high inflation has significantly affected us in Poland and numerous other countries worldwide. In our country, inflation reached its highest point in February. 18.4% is a level last observed in the late 1990s. Inflation fell sharply in the following months, to reach 6.2% in December. In 2023, inflation averaged 11.4%, showing a decrease from the 14.4% recorded a year earlier. With inflation falling, the Monetary Policy Council decided to start a cycle of interest rate cuts . It started with a small earthquake, with rates falling by 75bps in September. That was the first interest rate cut since May 2020. In October, the MPC cut rates by another 25bps. During the meetings in November and December, the MPC decided to leave the reference rate at 5.75%.
In the eurozone, HICP inflation slowed down from 11.5% to around 3%, and in the US, CPI fell from 9.1% to 3.1%. While those readings are still far too high, especially in Poland and other countries in our region, they are at least close to the nominal interest rates of central banks.
In 2023, the Polish zloty had strengthened significantly against the major currencies, as had all currencies in the region, limiting the profitability of exports.
The banking sector faced legal-, regulatory- and fiscal challenges, such as provisions related to CHF loans, contributions to the Bank Guarantee Fund and the tax on assets. Despite facing numerous challenges, the technological layer of Polish banking remains among the most modern in Europe. In addition, it is highly efficient, with a cost/income ratio structurally in the region of 50%.
Despite the volatile economic and regulatory environment, the ING Bank Śląski S.A. Group has consistently pursued its business strategy. Its steadfast objective is to expand its scale by attracting new clients and providing convenient, modern solutions and products tailored to meet the diverse needs of clients across all business segments. In 2023, the ING Bank Śląski Group’s consolidated net profit amounted to PLN 4,440.9 million, compared to PLN 1,714.4 million in 2022. The Group increased its loan- and deposit portfolio while maintaining good asset quality and a strong capital- and liquidity position. The corporate segment’s share of loans was 11.9% (-0.7 p.p. y/y), and the share in the market of loans for individual clients stood at 9.4% (+0.2 p.p. y/y). Meanwhile, the value of loans compared to 2022 increased by 1% to PLN 158.3 billion.
3
Letter from the Chairman of the Supervisory Board
In 2023, the Group acquired 284,000 retail segment clients and 70,000 corporate segment clients. In total, by the end of 2023, the Group served 4.5 million retail clients and reached 559,000 companies in corporate banking.
As at the 2023 yearend, the total capital ratio stood at a safe level of 16.73%. The Group has consistently remained one of the most profitable banking groups in Poland.
It is worth highlighting that the ING Bank Śląski Group is aware of its impact on the environment and approaches it with full responsibility. Climate change and environmental issues, social issues and corporate governance (“ESG”) are integral to the Bank’s long-term strategy and corporate identity. That approach is also reflected in the bank’s offering of sustainable financial solutions for both retail- and corporate clients.
The Bank Supervisory Board actively supported the Management Board by carefully reviewing its activities and, in the case of key decisions, participated in their adoption. With particular attention, the Supervisory Board monitored the Bank’s risk management areas, including non-financial and compliance risks, liquidity and capital adequacy. They supervised the implementation of internal audit and compliance tasks. In addition, the areas monitored by the Supervisory Board included the relationship with the external auditor, the HR and payroll area, the implementation of recommendations issued by supervisory authorities and issues in the area of the Bank governance. The Supervisory Board were also involved in setting the Group’s priority development directions. The members of the Supervisory Board belonged to the Audit Committee, the Risk Committee and the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.
In conclusion, on behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank all the Employees and Members of the Management Board for another year full of challenges, for their commitment and professionalism in building the scale of operations and the goodwill of the Group. I would also like to express our gratitude to our Shareholders and Clients for the trust shown in us, which is the best motivation for us to continue our work effectively.
Sincerely yours,
Aleksander Galos
Chairman of the Supervisory Board