The article describes perspectives of banking services development in Europe. The starting point is so called Ansoff matrix to present possible paths of banking services development, and examples of changes that take place in the area in question. Examples are the following: capital consolidation of banks and establishment of bank financial conglomerates.

Further the article focuses on the consequences for European banks of the single currency introduction. The consequences are analyzed in terms of micro- (banks' financial condition) and macroeconomic (banks' position in the market) developments.

According to the author, the epoch of euro may substantially affect possible development paths of banks to lead - as it seems - towards further consolidation and improvement of competitiveness of the European banking sector in the world.