The process of restructuring of the Polish banking sector has been in progress for more than ten years now. It comprises all stages of transformation in the banking system, aimed at improvement of the financial standing of banks (including improvement in their financial results), strengthening their competitive position and assuring further possibilities for intensive development in the financial market. The article refers to the act on financial restructuring of enterprises and banks, which regulated the trade credit issues, settlement proceedings, privatisation of enterprises and banks and debt restructuring.

The question of privatisation of the banking sector in Poland still raises numerous controversies because it is difficult to conclude whether the process implemented within such a short period has contributed rather to clear strengthening or weakening of the privatised banking institutions.

The article is to present the influence of the Privatisation Fund of Polish Banks (Fundusz Prywatyzacji Banków Polskich — FPBP) on the process of restructuring of the banking sector in our country. The fund played a decisive role in the development of our economy in the 90s. The restructuring of commercial banks was necessary due to a high share of irregular loans in their loan portfolios. Banks of poor financial standing have received an injection of capital in the form of restructuring Treasury bonds, which could be redeemed upon their privatisation, according to the recommendation given to Poland by the member states of the FPBP. The article attempts to prove that the quick pace of privatisation of Polish banks resulted first of all from the stipulations of the agreement concluded between the Polish government, the Ministry of Finance and the countries taking part in the FPBP. The issue of the Ministry of Finance decision to choose the option of privatisation of Polish banks with participation of foreign investors after 1995 and its effects have also been analysed.