This project has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
(Grant Agreement n. 669194)
(Przesieka, 15/6/1927 - Warsaw, 22/3/2018)
Regular contributor - Nowe Drogi journal (-)Professor - Main School of Planning and Statistics (1963-1991)
Undersecretary of state - Ministry of Finance (1968-1972)
President - Narodowy Bank Polski (1973-1980)
Chairman of Supervisory Board - Bank Handlowy (1974-1977)
Chairman of Supervisory Board - Bank Handlowy (1981-1985)
Vice Minister - Ministry of Finance (1981-1987)
In the early 1970s, Bień lobbied in favour of taking advantage of Western investment credits. Throughout the decade, as a banker and expert of finance, he supervised this policy and personally negotiated with the Western banks. He was one of the first ones to warn about the rising indebtedness. His voice was, however, marginalised. Neither the politburo nor the government debated reports on Poland's financial situation prepared by the National Bank under Bień's supervision. In the late 1970s, he supported the idea of joining the IMF and the WB. During the debt crisis, he became a principal negotiator for the London Club.
