The history of Bank Pekao dates back to the 1920s, when it was established to meet the financial needs of a free Poland. It is the first Polish bank to launch ATMs and credit cards. It’s mission is to simplify the banking process and make it more accessible.
About Bank Pekao
The CEO of Bank Pekao is Leszek Skiba and it was founded on March 17th of 1929. Currently it’s the 2nd biggest bank of Poland and it is growing every year.
Bank Pekao Exchange Rates and Transfer Fees
Exchange Rates
The exchange rate at bank Pekao can be viewed on this page. You will find the most commonly checked rates there. For all currency rates click on the “check rates for all currencies” link. Also, there is a currency calculator, which is a quick way to compare rates quickly.
The spread for converting PLN to USD, EUR and GBP is 0.282, 0.343 and 0.401 respectively. This gives you an idea of what the mark up is when executing currency conversions.
Transfer Fees
Bank Pekao will not require a fee for incoming transactions. They utilize Western Union for money transfers and the fee is as follows: 9.90PLN up to 500PLN, 3% for 500.01PLN to 1,000PLN, and 2.5% for 1,000.01PLN to 4,000PLN.
Also, there is a 50% discount for the first 3 transfers, which is ideal if you want to make bigger transfers after creating your Bank Pekao account. However, there might be additional fees to consider because it depends where you are sending the money.
Additional Costs
Bank Pekao provides free ATM withdrawals in Poland and no bank fees when withdrawing abroad. However, there might be fees on the side of the ATM provider. Also, there are no servicing fees when opening a debit card.
Bank Pekao does a great job of removing fees when opening new accounts or transferring money. However, you should contact customer service to figure out what costs you will incur for the required services.
How Do Bank Pekao Transfer Fees Compare to Using a Money Transfer Provider?
The fees at Bank Pekao are affordable, but why pay them when you can get a better deal at most money transfer providers. If you complete many transactions per year, then the fees can add up. Overcome these by choosing a 3rd party service to complete the transactions.
Bank Pekao Pros and Cons
- No fee for opening an account or servicing debit card
- PeoPay application allows you to complete banking transactions on your smartphone
- No fee for currency conversion when paying by card
- No commission fee when withdrawing money abroad
- Money transfer service is more expensive than most 3rd party services
- English translations are lacking for international customers
- Mobile app is buggy
How to Open an Account and Transfer Money With Bank Pekao on the Website
Step 1: Navigate to the daily banking page and click on the “Open Account” button, which is distributed throughout the page.
Step 2: Complete the multi-step form where you will need to enter your contact details, confirm the phone, choose an offer and create the contract with the bank. It takes about 11 minutes according to the website.
Step 3: Once the account submission is complete you will need to wait a few days for a reply from the bank.
Transferring Money
You can complete online money transfers using the desktop or mobile app. For domestic transactions you may only need the recipient’s name and IBAN number. For international transfers you will need details such as the address and SWIFT code of the bank you are sending money to.
Can I Use Bank Pekao for International Bank Transfers?
It is possible to receive and send money while using Bank Pekao. The majority of banks have a system in place where money is sent to correspondent banks using SWIFT codes.
The SWIFT code for Bank Pekao is PKOPPLPWCUS and the address is BANK PEKAO SA, BANK PEKAO SA, FLOOR 9, GRZYBOWSKA 53/57, WARSZAWA, Poland.
Additional Information
There is an account for young people up to the age of 26 years old
The first 2 ATM withdrawals from foreign banks in Poland are free
Flexible credit availability
Choice of credit card available to suit your needs
Summary
Pekao is one of the most popular banks in Poland that offers a wide range of financial services. This includes daily banking, cash borrowing, mortgages, insurance and investment opportunities. Their branches are mostly found in the Northeast of Poland but you can send money worldwide. The exchange rates and transfer fees are not huge, but 3rd party services are a better choice. For example, you can go with Western Union and Monito to send money at fast speed and low fees.