In April 2026, banks and credit unions in Poland granted significantly more mortgage, instalment and cash loans than a year earlier. A decline was recorded only in the credit card segment. The data point to a continued recovery in household financing, particularly in the mortgage market.
Compared with April 2025, the number of mortgage loans granted increased by 55.8%, instalment loans by 27.1%, and cash loans by 3.8%. At the same time, the number of credit cards issued fell by 8.1%. In value terms, growth was recorded in mortgage loans, whose value increased by 67.0%, cash loans, which rose by 15.6%, and instalment loans, up by 7.7%. The value of granted credit card limits, however, decreased by 2.3%.
A similar picture emerges from data for the first four months of 2026. During this period, compared with the same period of the previous year, banks and credit unions granted 50.0% more mortgage loans, 27.7% more instalment loans and 5.2% more cash loans. The number of credit cards fell by 6.4%. The value of financing increased for mortgage loans by 62.0%, instalment loans by 13.6% and cash loans by 13.2%. In the credit card segment, the value declined by 1.2%.
Record Value of Mortgage Loans
The strongest increases were visible in the mortgage market. In April 2026, banks granted 55.8% more mortgage loans than a year earlier and 1.3% more than in March. The value of mortgage loans granted increased by 67.0% year on year and by 2.3% month on month.
The total value of mortgage loans granted in April exceeded PLN 13.65 billion. This was PLN 313 million higher than the previous monthly record, recorded in March 2026. The average mortgage loan amount reached PLN 469,730 and was 7.2% higher than a year earlier.
According to Dr. hab. Waldemar Rogowski, chief analyst of the BIK Group, the increase in activity in this segment is mainly due to improved creditworthiness among customers. This has been supported by lower borrowing costs and wage growth, both nominal and real. In April 2026, wages increased by 6.6% year on year.
The analyst also points to the growing importance of refinancing previously taken mortgage loans. This applies especially to liabilities based on periodically fixed interest rates that are higher than the conditions currently available on the market. Refinancing already accounts for more than 30% of new lending.
Another factor influencing demand for mortgage loans is the situation on the real estate market. A slight price recovery was visible on the primary market, with average apartment prices in the largest agglomerations rising by around 5% year on year. In April, price growth was also recorded on the secondary market.
Instalment Loans Continue to Grow
April’s data also confirm continued growth in the instalment loan market. The number of such loans was 27.1% higher than a year earlier, while their value increased by 7.7%. At the same time, the average instalment loan amount fell by 15.2% year on year to PLN 1,923.
According to BIK, the increase in the number of instalment loans may be linked to the good situation on the labour market, wage growth and lower interest rates than a year earlier. These factors increase households’ ability to finance purchases, including among people already repaying other liabilities.
The instalment loan market may also be affected by the recovery in mortgage lending. Buying an apartment often involves additional spending on furnishings, including consumer electronics and household appliances, which are frequently financed through instalment loans.
Cash Loans Are Being Taken Out for Increasingly Higher Amounts
Sales of cash loans also increased in April. The number of loans granted rose by 3.8% year on year, while their value increased by 15.6%. The average cash loan amount was PLN 29,893, up 11.4% compared with April 2025.
According to Prof. Waldemar Rogowski, the key growth factor is higher-value loans, increasingly often exceeding PLN 50,000. The average value of a cash loan reached the highest level in history and approached the PLN 30,000 mark.
Three factors are contributing to the increase in the average loan amount: longer loan maturities, lower interest rates on new liabilities and real wage growth. BIK also points to the important role of consolidation of previous debts. Such loans already account for almost 60% of the value of newly granted cash loans.
Credit Cards Weaker Than a Year Earlier
Compared with other credit products, credit cards performed weaker. In April 2026, the number of cards issued fell by 8.1% year on year, while the value of granted limits was 2.3% lower. From January to April, the number of credit cards declined by 6.4%, and the value of limits by 1.2%.
These data indicate that the increase in household credit activity is concentrated primarily in mortgage, cash and instalment loans, while the credit card segment remains under pressure.
Repayment Quality Still Assessed as Safe
BIK notes that the repayment quality of bank loans remains at a safe level. On a monthly basis, the April reading improved across all four Quality Indices. The strongest improvement was recorded in credit cards and cash loans.
Year on year, the Quality Indices deteriorated for three products: instalment loans, cash loans and credit cards. Nevertheless, they remain at levels indicating low credit risk. An improvement year on year was recorded in the case of mortgage loans.
