They granted lower credit card limits (-1.0%). In the first quarter of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, banks and credit unions granted more mortgage loans (+47.8%), installment loans (+27.9%) and cash loans (+5.7%). Negative dynamics were recorded only for credit cards (-5.9%).
In value terms, the larger amount of credit activity concerned mortgage loans (+59.9%), installment loans (+15.2%) and cash loans (+12.3%). Credit card limits recorded negative dynamics (-0.9%).
Historical record of monthly value of granted mortgage loans
In March, banks granted 59% more mortgage loans compared to March 2025 and 24% more on a month‑over‑month basis.
The increase in granted mortgage loan value reached 72.2% year‑over‑year and improved by 26.5% compared to February 2026.
In March, the average mortgage loan amount was 464.45 thousand PLN, 8.3% higher than a year ago.
- March sales reached a value of over 13.34 billion PLN, surpassing the previous record from October 2025 by 2.45 billion PLN (22.5%). The average mortgage loan amount reached 464.45 thousand PLN, which is also a historical record. The main reason for such high activity in this segment is the increasing creditworthiness, resulting from interest rate cuts that fell to 3.75% in March, the lowest in four years. Both nominal and real wages continue to rise (in March 2026, a 6.6% year‑over‑year increase). All these factors not only encourage new loans but also accelerate decisions to refinance previously taken mortgage loans, most of which are based on a period‑fixed rate higher than the current one. Refinancing now accounts for about 30% of new credit activity. Additional impetus for greater interest in mortgage loans was the growing geopolitical uncertainty related to the situation in the Middle East. If the conflict extends, it could accelerate inflation, leading to higher interest rates and rising real estate prices – explains Dr. Waldemar Rogowski, Senior Analyst at BIK Group.
The installment loan market confirms an upward trend
Analysis of March data on installment loan sales confirms increased interest in this product compared to the first quarter of 2025. At the same time, a decline in the average amount is observed – the average loan amount was 5.8% lower year‑over‑year, amounting to 2,249 PLN.
- March is another month that confirms the growing trend in the installment loan market. Improved sentiment in this segment was aided by further wage growth, though not as high as in previous years, and a good labor market situation. Rising wages and a stable, lower-than-last-year interest rate level create space for additional loans in household budgets, even for those repaying other types of loans. An additional factor supporting demand is the fact that installment loans are still often granted at 0% APR. The revival in the installment loan market can also be linked to a good outlook in the mortgage loan segment. Purchasing RTV/Appliance equipment for newly bought properties is often financed with attractive installment loans. A factor that could negatively affect interest in installment loans in the coming months is the increase in uncertainty related to a possible escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Its extension would cause, on one hand, higher inflation and, on the other hand, economic slowdown, limiting consumers’ willingness to take out loans – mówi Dr. Waldemar Rogowski, Senior Analyst at BIK Group.
Positive pace in the cash loan segment
March results confirm a year‑over‑year increase of both the number (12.3%) and value (20.6%) of granted cash loans. The average cash loan granted in March was 29,556 PLN, an increase of 7.4% compared to March 2025.
- Cash loans are being taken out for increasingly higher amounts, mainly exceeding 50 thousand PLN. In March, the average value of a granted cash loan exceeded 29.5 thousand PLN, reaching the highest level in history. There is a high probability that the 30 thousand PLN barrier will be crossed in the coming months. Such a high loan amount is possible thanks to the combination of three factors that increase creditworthiness: extending the loan period, lower interest rates on new loans due to rate cuts, and real wage growth. This supports the consolidation of existing loans, which are now the main driver of credit activity and already account for almost 60% of the value of granted cash loans. – summarizes Senior Analyst at BIK Group.
Quality of bank loan repayments remains at a safe level
On a monthly basis, March's reading improved in all four Quality Indices: credit cards (-0.17) and mortgage loans (-0.11) most notably.
- BIK Quality Indices for three credit products (installment loans, cash loans, and credit cards) worsened on an annual basis but remain at a safe level, indicating low, safe credit risk. Only the Mortgage Loans Index improved (-0.12) – explains Waldemar Rogowski.
