16:37 8 July 2026
Bank data probed
Poland’s competition watchdog, UOKiK, has searched the offices of the country’s sole credit bureau, BIK, together with ING Bank Śląski, mBank and mBank Hipoteczny, as part of an investigation into mortgage credit assessment practices. The inquiry, launched in 2025, is examining whether banks’ exchange of information through BIK may be restricting competition and discouraging consumers from comparing mortgage offers.
In particular, UOKiK is questioning whether recording the number of mortgage applications submitted by borrowers unfairly lowers their credit scores, effectively penalising those who shop around for the best terms. The regulator is also assessing whether BIK’s handling of this data could amount to an abuse of its dominant market position. If evidence of anti-competitive behaviour is found, UOKiK could open formal antitrust proceedings, with companies facing fines of up to 10% of annual turnover.
Source: money.pl
