select ornum,custpo,branch
from orders f1, branches f2
where custpo like ‘%’||trim(f2.branch)||’%’
and ordat between 1110101 and 1111231
and orcus = ‘AA11′
order by ornum

many thanks

Select po_ref, branch, br_desc
from f1, f2
where po_ref like ‘%’ || TRIM(branch) || ‘%’

or

Select po_ref, branch, br_desc
from f1 left join f2
on po_ref like ‘%’ || TRIM(branch) || ‘%’

Am not sure whether it will be helpful for you if you are directly running SQL.
But, I hope it can do some help if you require this process to be done programatically(through SQLRPGLE).

Step1: You can build a curson on FILE2(which holds Branch Number) and Fetch the Branch ID.
SELECT BRNID FROM FILE2
Build Cursor, fetch from cursor(Cursor1). Then follow Step2.
Step2: Build a query on FILE1 for retrieving the details which are related to that Branch Number.
SQLSTMT = ‘SELECT * FROM FILE1 WHERE CUSTID LIKE %’ + BRNID + ‘%’
Prepare a cursor and Read the records which are matching with that branch number
Perform required operation till EOF(SQLCOD = 100).
Step3: Fetch Next from Cursor1(on FILE2) and perform Step2.

Let me know if you are not clear or if you are looking for different requirement.

Pradeep.