An important interview with a representative of the Ministry of Justice, who is toning down the inclinations to undermine WIBOR
The mechanism resulting from the case law of the CJEU is that if the consumer has been duly informed, the variable interest rate clause referring to WIBOR will not be reviewed at all.
Source: Wyborcza.biz
Polish banking sector under pressure and Polish economy facing major challenges
In recent months, accusations against the banking sector regarding the level of credit spreads, the alleged restriction of lending and the insufficient contribution to the development of the economy have become more and more frequent in the public debate. Meanwhile, the data clearly show that the banking sector remains not only one of the main contributors to the state budget, but also a contributor to economic stability, bearing significant legal and regulatory risks, said Dr Tadeusz Białek, President of the Polish Bank Association, at a press conference organised as part of the Banking Forum 2025.
Last year, the banking sector contributed over PLN 24.16 billion to the state budget in the form of taxes and other public levies. CIT receipts alone amounted to PLN 13.42 billion, which means that almost every fourth zloty of this tax in the state budget came from the banking sector.
A further PLN 5.8 billion was received by the budget from the part of the bank tax paid by banks. Moreover, the sector’s financial result for 2024 allowed for the payment of dividends to the State Treasury in the amount of PLN 3.5 billion. These figures show that banks play an important role in supporting the development of the Polish economy.
Banks’ involvement in the financing of borrowing needs – through debt instruments, mainly Treasury bonds – already amounts to PLN 690 billion, or about half of the overall requirement.
To illustrate the scale of the banking sector’s involvement in the state budget, it is worth noting that the amount of PLN 24.16 billion is equivalent to almost 13% of defence spending in 2025 or 57% of annual spending on science and higher education.
Source: Bank.pl
Banks already pay huge levies. “The new tax is a bad idea.”
“People do not benefit from banks,” says Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. “It is quite the opposite, both bank customers and the state budget, for which banks are the goose that lays the golden eggs, benefit,” analysts reply.
Source: Rzeczpospolita
In February ‘25, banks and credit and savings unions (SKOKs) granted more cash loans and less housing loans and instalment loans year-on-year
In February 2025, compared to February 2024, banks and credit and savings unions (SKOKs) recorded an increase only in cash loans, which they granted by 22.5% more and for a 33.4% higher value. Housing loans fell by 31.9% in number and 32.0% in value. The number of instalment loans granted fell by 29.3% and their value fell by 11.3%. There was also a 9.9% decline in the number of credit cards issued, although their value rose slightly by 0.4%, the Credit Information Bureau (BIK) said.
Source: Bank.pl
Banks’ credit spreads fall to EU average – ZBP
The current lending capacity of the banking sector is estimated at over PLN 300 billion. In an environment of high interest rates, banks’ credit spreads were falling, and at the end of January the average spread on housing loans was 1.67%, in line with the EU average. Banks will pay a total of around PLN 21.1 billion in dividends from their 2024 profits, Tadeusz Białek, President of the Polish Bank Association, said.
Source: PAP biznes
President of the National Bank of Poland: legal risk is the biggest challenge for banks
According to the National Bank of Poland, legal risk is the most serious challenge for banks, said NBP President Adam Glapiński. He also said that the current offer of banks lacks competitive solutions for savers.
Source: PAP
New risks for banks. Credit may be more expensive and more difficult to obtain
CHF mortgage loans, the sanction of free credit, attempts to undermine WIBOR-based mortgages, credit holidays – these are costly legal risks for banks, and can also have a negative impact on consumers.
Source: Business Insider
488 cyberattacks in 1.5 years on the EU financial sector – banks most vulnerable
ENISA, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, analysed 488 incidents affecting the financial sector in Europe between January 2023 and June 2024. Banks and credit institutions were the most frequent victims of cyberattacks (46%). In second place were central financial institutions (13%) and in third place were individuals, such as bank customers, who accounted for 10% of all victims. Insurance companies (6%), digital infrastructure (5%) and other financial service providers (4%) were also victims.
Source: ITwiz
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See also
Banking today and tomorrow | An overview of the banking sector | March 2025
