Podnikatelská družstevní záložna

Podnikatelská družstevní záložna (PDZ) was a Czech cooperative savings bank — a kampelička — that entered the market in 1996 as the first modern-era kampelička in the Czech Republic. Its founding members' meeting took place in 1995, and the institution began operating the following year. It was a small, member-owned financial cooperative rather than a conventional commercial bank, and over its lifetime it remained a niche institution with a membership that grew from 34 at founding to about 150 by 2022, before falling to fewer than 50 by the end of 2024. PDZ's public profile was shaped less by its banking business than by its political and business connections. Between 2015 and 2020 its members included Petr Fiala, then chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and later Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Other members included Ivan Netuka, Fiala's health adviser, until January 2024; former ODS parliamentary group chairman Petr Tluchoř; former ODS health minister Luděk Rubáš; and Roman Boček, a deputy minister of agriculture. The executive director of construction firm Geosan, Ivan Havel — one of the accused in the Motol case — also held money in the kampelička. The institution was unofficially controlled by businessman Kamil Bahbouh, whose companies, as members of the savings bank, channelled donations of 208,000 euros (over CZK 5 million) between 2017 and 2022 through the kampelička to the Brussels think-tank New Direction, which in turn donated 280,000 euros (over CZK 7 million) between 2018 and 2023 to the Czech association Pravý břeh – Institut Petra Fialy, linked to ODS. Regulatory problems accumulated over the years. In 2021 the Financial Analytical Office fined the savings bank CZK 150,000 for inadequately fulfilling its anti-money-laundering obligations. In 2022 the Czech National Bank (ČNB) fined it CZK 200,000 for a series of deficiencies, including a non-existent control system. A further scandal involved 14 million euros (about CZK 350 million) intended for the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine that disappeared from the kampelička. Between 2020 and 2023, CZK 669 million in cash was withdrawn from the savings bank, with 90% of it withdrawn by just 12 individuals; one of them was businessman Kamil Bahbouh, who withdrew over CZK 55 million. In March 2024 the Czech National Bank opened administrative proceedings aimed at withdrawing PDZ's authorisation to operate as a cooperative savings bank, citing serious deficiencies in its activities. The ČNB immediately prohibited the institution from accepting deposits and providing loans, and imposed restrictions on the handling of assets and liabilities and on cash operations, proceeding under Act No. 374/2015 Sb. on recovery procedures. In June 2024 the chairman of the board, Robert Zelenka, committed suicide. In January 2025 the ČNB withdrew PDZ's authorisation to operate as a savings and credit cooperative. Following that step, the central bank filed a petition with the court for the dissolution of PDZ, its liquidation, and the appointment of a liquidator. As of 31 December 2024, the institution had fewer than fifty members, client deposits of less than one million korunas, and a total balance sheet of CZK 65 million.

Podnikatelská družstevní záložna (PDZ) was established as a Czech cooperative savings bank, known locally as a kampelička. Its founding members' meeting was held in 1995, and it entered the market in 1996 as the first modern-era kampelička in the Czech Republic. At the time of its founding it had 34 members. The institution was structured as a member-owned cooperative, meaning its depositors and borrowers were also its members, and it operated as a small, niche financial institution rather than a full-service commercial bank. Over the following decades PDZ remained small. By 2022 its membership had grown to about 150, but it never became a significant player in the Czech banking market. Its board chairmen over the years included JUDr. Antonín Janák (2001–2004), Tereza Bisová (2009–2017), René Szonowski (2017–2021) and Robert Zelenka (2021–2024). The kampelička attracted public attention primarily because of its politically connected membership. Between 2015 and 2020 its members included Petr Fiala, chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and later Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Ivan Netuka, Fiala's health adviser, was a member until January 2024. Other members included former ODS parliamentary group chairman Petr Tluchoř, former ODS health minister Luděk Rubáš, and Roman Boček, a deputy minister of agriculture. Ivan Havel, executive director of construction firm Geosan and one of the accused in the Motol case, also had money deposited in the kampelička. The institution was unofficially controlled by businessman Kamil Bahbouh. His companies, which were members of the savings bank, sent donations of 208,000 euros (over CZK 5 million) through the kampelička to the Brussels think-tank New Direction between 2017 and 2022. New Direction in turn donated 280,000 euros (over CZK 7 million) to the Czech association Pravý břeh – Institut Petra Fialy, which is linked to ODS, between 2018 and 2023. Regulatory scrutiny intensified over time. In 2021 the Financial Analytical Office fined the savings bank CZK 150,000 for inadequately fulfilling its obligations under anti-money-laundering legislation. In 2022 the Czech National Bank (ČNB) fined it CZK 200,000 for a range of deficiencies, including a non-existent control system. A major scandal involved 14 million euros (about CZK 350 million) intended for the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine that disappeared from the kampelička. Between 2020 and 2023, CZK 669 million in cash was withdrawn from the savings bank, with 90% of that amount withdrawn by only 12 individuals. One of those individuals was businessman Kamil Bahbouh, who withdrew over CZK 55 million. In March 2024 the Czech National Bank initiated administrative proceedings aimed at withdrawing PDZ's authorisation to operate as a cooperative savings bank, citing serious deficiencies in its activities. With immediate effect, the ČNB prohibited the savings bank from accepting deposits and providing loans, and imposed restrictions on the handling of assets and liabilities as well as on cash operations. The central bank proceeded under Act No. 374/2015 Sb. on recovery procedures. In June 2024, the chairman of the board, Robert Zelenka, committed suicide. In January 2025 the ČNB withdrew PDZ's authorisation to operate as a savings and credit cooperative. Following this step, the central bank filed a petition with the court for the dissolution of PDZ, its liquidation, and the appointment of a liquidator. As of 31 December 2024, the institution had fewer than fifty members, client deposits of less than one million korunas, and a total balance sheet of CZK 65 million.

• 2025

  In January, the ČNB withdraws PDZ's authorisation to operate as a savings and credit cooperative and petitions the court for its dissolution and liquidation.

• 2024

  In March, the Czech National Bank opens administrative proceedings to withdraw PDZ's authorisation and immediately bans deposits and loans.

• 2024

  In June, board chairman Robert Zelenka commits suicide.

• 2022

  Czech National Bank fines PDZ CZK 200,000 for a range of deficiencies, including a non-existent control system.

• 2022

  Membership reaches about 150.

• 2021

  Financial Analytical Office fines PDZ CZK 150,000 for inadequate anti-money-laundering compliance.

• 2021

  Robert Zelenka begins term as chairman of the board (until 2024).

• 2017

  René Szonowski begins term as chairman of the board (until 2021).

• 2009

  Tereza Bisová begins term as chairwoman of the board (until 2017).

• 2001

  JUDr. Antonín Janák begins term as chairman of the board (until 2004).

• 1996

  PDZ enters the market as the first modern-era kampelička in the Czech Republic.

• 1995

  Founding members' meeting of the kampelička held.

Small member-owned cooperative savings bank (kampelička) serving a niche membership base in the Czech Republic.

• Member deposit accounts

  Deposit-taking services for members of the cooperative savings bank.

• Member loans

  Lending services provided to members.

• 2024

  Missing funds for Ukraine ammunition

• 2024

  Large cash withdrawals

• 2022

  Czech National Bank fine

• 2021

  Anti-money-laundering fine

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• 2025

  Licence withdrawal and liquidation petitionOther

• 2024

  ČNB bans deposits and loansOther

1. 1Podnikatelská družstevní záložna – Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Podnikatelská družstevní záložna – Czech Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org