The Polish non-bank lending market is built on two main product segments that differ both in structure and purpose. The first consists of cash loans, which are transferred directly to the borrower’s bank account and can be used for any purpose – from supporting a household budget to financing everyday consumption. The second segment comprises instalment loans (formerly referred to as purpose-specific loans), which are intended to finance specific goods or services without directly transferring cash to the borrower.
Data for January 2026 indicate a clear rebound in both segments and confirm the market’s steady growth.
Cash Loan Segment
Within the cash loan category, two primary types can be distinguished: loans granted for small amounts and short periods (up to 60 days), and loans for higher amounts with longer repayment terms (over 60 days, often extending over several years).
In January 2026, the value of short-term cash loans (up to 60 days) reached PLN 1.218 billion, representing a 15.9% year-on-year increase. During the same period, 488,000 such loans were granted – 5.0% more than in January 2025. Short-term cash loans accounted for as much as 73% of the total value and 87% of the total number of all cash loans granted in January.
The average value of a loan with a term of up to 60 days amounted to PLN 2,837, up 14.1% compared with the previous year. The increase in the average loan amount may point to growing financial needs among households or a greater willingness among consumers to finance higher short-term expenses through borrowing.
As for cash loans granted for more than 60 days, their total value in January 2026 reached PLN 462 million, marking a 14.4% year-on-year increase. However, the number of loans in this category declined by 3.3% compared with January last year, amounting to 71,000 loans. At the same time, the average loan value rose significantly to PLN 6,478, up 18.2% year on year. This indicates that while the number of longer-term loans slightly decreased, their individual value increased considerably.
Instalment Loan Segment
The second key pillar of the market is instalment loans, typically used to finance specific purchases such as household appliances, electronics, or other goods and services. Unlike cash loans, borrowers do not receive funds directly; instead, the loan finances a particular transaction.
In January 2026, lending companies granted 925,000 instalment loans, representing a 16.2% year-on-year increase. Their total value amounted to PLN 601 million, 16.6% more than in January 2025. The average instalment loan stood at PLN 650, up slightly by 0.3% compared with the previous year.
The relatively modest increase in the average loan amount, combined with a significant rise in the number of loans granted, may indicate sustained demand for financing smaller consumer purchases, while borrowers remain cautious about taking on larger financial commitments.
Stable Market Conditions
The presented data fully reflect the current condition of Poland’s non-bank lending market. January 2026 brought increases both in the number and value of loans across most segments. The market remains diversified, with a clear dominance of short-term cash loans in terms of volume and a dynamically expanding instalment loan segment.
The observed trends suggest that consumers continue to actively use alternative sources of financing, adjusting the type of loan to their current needs and repayment capacity.
Source: Manager Plus
