Poles take cash loans massively – evidence increases in 2025

New data of the Credit Information Office (BIK) show that Poles are increasingly eager to scope for cash loans, while the popularity of installments is decreasing. What influences these changes and what should we pay attention to before making a commitment?

Cash credits break records

According to the latest BIK data, in April 2025 banks and Credit Unions granted 376,6 1000 cash loans, which means an increase by 21.6% compared to the same period last year. In value terms, the increase is even higher – by 25.1% y/y, to PLN 10.118 billion.

In the first 4 months of 2025, the number of cash loans granted was 1,427 million (increase 25.1% y/y)and their full value reached PLN 38.259 billion (increase by 35.6% y/y).

The average amount of cash debt in April 2025 was PLN 26,864, which means an increase by 2.9% compared to April 2024.

Why do Poles so willingly take cash loans?

Chief analyst of the BIK Group, Waldemar Rogowski, indicates that customers are increasingly choosing to consolidation of commitments:

"The main origin in the increase in sales in this section is, as in the erstwhile year, high-quota loans for over PLN 50 thousand. This is the effect of the consolidation of loans by customers who combine respective financial liabilities into 1 loan, frequently in the same bank or transfer their liabilities to a fresh bank. Consolidations are frequently accompanied by an increase in the amount of credit due to an extension of the debt period or a lower interest rate on the fresh loan, which increases creditworthiness and makes a 'place' for additional financing."

Decrease in the popularity of instalment loans

While cash loans last boom, the debt marketplace notes significant decrease. In April 2025 banks and Credit Unions granted 885.7 1000 instalment loans, which is 26.6% little than the year before. The value of these loans decreased by 8.8% y/y, up to PLN 2.015 billion.

During the period January-April 2025. The number of instalments granted decreased by 28.6% y/y (3 392.4 thousand)and their value decreased by 11.5% (up to PLN 7.682 billion).

What is the impact on the decline in instalments?

Waldemar Rogowski explains:

"By analyzing the latest April figures on instalment loans, we can observe the continuation of the downward trend from erstwhile months. This is mostly the effect of limiting the scale of transactions to low amounts, mainly due to the conversion of outstanding deferred payment liabilities (BNPL-i) transferred from the non-bank sector to the bank.”

Despite the decrease in the number of installments, the average amount of specified an undertaking increased by 24.3% y/y and amounted to PLN 2 275.

Summary

• Cash loans are increasingly popular – 21.6% increase in numbers and 25.1% increase in values.
• Consolidation of liabilities drives the market – customers combine credits to reduce costs.
• Statutory loans are losing popularity – a decrease of 26.6% and values of 8.8% y/y.
• Average loans are rising – for both cash and installments.

Is it worth taking credit in 2025? It depends on the individual financial situation. Before making a decision, it is worth comparing bids and checking that the fresh commitment will not overburden the household budget.

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  Poles take cash loans massively – evidence increases in 202527 May 2025

  New data of the Credit Information Office (BIK) show that Poles are increasingly eager to scope for cash loans, while the popularity of installments is decreasing. What affects these changes