Poland’s banking sector is facing increasing pressure from weak corporate investment appetite, with firms showing limited willingness to take on new credit despite broader economic needs. According to the vice president of the Polish Banks Association, Agnieszka Wachnicka, the pace of lending growth remains below expectations, raising concerns for long-term financing activity in Poland.
Recent data shows that corporate borrowing has softened, with new loans falling to 10.8 billion zlotys in April from 15.9 billion zlotys in March. While overall corporate lending has risen slightly over time, Wachnicka noted that the growth rate is still well below what the economy requires to support stronger investment and expansion.
A key concern for lenders is the reluctance of companies to expand through credit financing, which is limiting momentum in the broader financial system. This cautious approach is weighing on banks’ ability to scale credit portfolios, even as macroeconomic conditions gradually stabilize across Central Europe.
At the same time, new momentum is emerging from European defence-related funding. Poland has become the largest beneficiary of the European Union’s SAFE programme, securing access to around €43.7 billion in long-term low-cost loans aimed at strengthening military and industrial capacity. Bank officials expect this to gradually translate into stronger lending activity, particularly in defence-related industries.
Wachnicka also highlighted that while Poland’s corporate lending market remains subdued, there are early signs of renewed activity linked to large-scale financing agreements and infrastructure investment pipelines. However, the recovery is expected to be uneven across sectors.
In parallel, the banking landscape is seeing gradual consolidation. Austria’s Erste Group has entered the market by acquiring a 49% stake in Santander Bank Polska, marking one of the most significant foreign investments in the sector in recent years. Industry observers suggest this could signal the beginning of further consolidation, especially among smaller cooperative banks seeking scale and efficiency.
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