THE AVAILABILITY OF BANKING SERVICES IN POMORSKIE VOIVODESHIP - THE STATUS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.

In the age of globalization the financial services are crucial for the efficient functioning of both businesses, as well as households. The following article presents the diversification of banking services' availability in Pomorskie voivodeship in 2010 and its reasons. The article also discusses the subject of franchise as a way of organizing sales, which could significantly boost the availability of banking services in the examined area. In Poland, the dominant role in the provision of banking services is played by traditional bank branches, even though the electronic distribution channels play an increasingly important role. In Pomorskie voivodeship, for every 10 thousand residents there are 4.7 bank branches on average. The highest value of the indicator was found for municipal districts of the Tricity, the districts of Lębork, Malbork, and Słupsk. The lowest value of index was found for the districts of Bytów, Chojnice, Człuchów, and Sztum. The determining factor in the aspect of distribution of bank branches in Pomorskie voivodeship is the degree of urbanization of each district. The development of franchises in the banking business is an important link in increasing the availability of banking services to people. The main advantage of franchising is the division of costs of establishing the branch between the bank and the franchisee, as well as higher operational efficiency. In addition, the franchise is largely based on smaller branches, the establishing of which is also profitable in smaller towns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]