During the first four months of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, banks and credit unions granted more mortgage loans (+50.0%), installment loans (+27.7%) and cash loans (+5.2%), and fewer credit cards (-6.4%). The value of credit activity increased for mortgage loans (+62.0%), installment loans (+13.6%) and cash loans (+13.2%), while it fell in the credit card segment (-1.2%).
Another historic record for the monthly value of granted mortgage loans
In April, banks granted 55.8% more mortgage loans compared to April 2025 and 1.3% more on a month‑over‑month basis. The value of granted mortgage loans rose 67.0% year‑over‑year, and improved by 2.3% compared to March 2026. In April, the average mortgage loan amount was 469.73 thousand PLN, 7.2% higher than a year earlier.
- The April value of granted mortgage loans exceeded 13.65 billion PLN, surpassing the previous month’s record by 313 million PLN (+2.3%). The average mortgage loan amount reached 469.73 thousand PLN, also a historic high. The main reason for such high activity in this segment is increasing creditworthiness, resulting from both lower borrowing costs and further wage growth – nominal and real (6.6% year‑over‑year in April 2026). These factors not only encourage new loans but also accelerate refinancing decisions for previously taken mortgage loans, mostly based on a higher, fixed‑rate than current. Refinancing now accounts for over 30% of new credit activity. Additional impetus for greater interest in mortgage loans was the housing market situation. The primary market showed mild price revival, and average rates in the largest agglomerations rose about 5% year‑over‑year. The secondary market also saw a slight rise in apartment prices in April. – explains Dr. Waldemar Rogowski, Chief Analyst of BIK Group.
The installment loan market remains in an upward trend
Analysis of April data on installment loan sales confirms increased interest in this product compared to the early months of 2025. At the same time, a decline in the average amount is observed – the average loan amount was lower by 15.2% year‑over‑year, totaling 1,923 PLN.
- April is another month confirming the growing trend in the installment loan market. This is due to wage growth, though less dynamic than in previous years, and still a good labor market situation. These two factors, along with lower interest rates than a year ago, expand credit space in household budgets, even for those repaying other types of loans. The favorable situation in the installment loan market can also be linked to improved conditions in the mortgage loan segment. Purchasing RTV/Appliance equipment for newly bought properties is often financed with attractive installment loans – speaks Chief Analyst of BIK Group.
High‑interest cash loans are the main growth driver
April results confirm year‑over‑year growth in both the number (3.8%) and value (15.6%) of granted cash loans. The average amount of a cash loan granted in April was
29,893 PLN, representing an 11.4% increase compared to April 2025.
- Cash loans are being taken for increasingly higher amounts, often exceeding 50 thousand PLN. In April, the average value of a granted cash loan was 29.9 thousand PLN, reaching the highest level in history. There is a high probability that the 30 thousand PLN threshold will be crossed in the coming months. Such high loan amounts are possible thanks to three positive factors that increase creditworthiness: longer loan terms, lower interest rates on new loans, and real wage growth. This supports the consolidation of previously taken obligations, which now account for almost 60% of the value of granted cash loans. – summarizes Prof. Rogowski.
Quality of bank loan repayments remains at a safe level
On a monthly basis, April’s reading improved in all four Quality Indices, most notably in credit cards (-0.15) and cash loans (-0.08).
- On an annual basis, BIK Quality Indices for three credit products (installment loans, cash loans, and credit cards) deteriorated, but remain at a safe level, indicating low credit risk. Only the Mortgage Loans Index improved (-0.16) – explains Waldemar Rogowski.
