13:28 18 October 2025
Banks on WSE see specter of higher taxes affecting stocks
Poland’s Sejm has approved a bill raising the corporate income tax (CIT) for banks from 19% to 30% in 2026, expected to bring PLN 6.6 billion in extra budget revenue for defense spending. The law passed with 238 votes in favor, 187 against, and 18 abstentions, and now moves to the Senate before President Karol Nawrocki’s decision. The announcement triggered a sell-off on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, with the WIG-Banki index falling by 319 points and shares of major banks such as mBank (-3.16%), Alior (-2.01%), and PKO BP (-2.12%) declining.
Analysts warn that while the tax boosts short-term revenue, the state—holding stakes in banks like PKO BP, Pekao, and Alior—may ultimately bear part of the cost through reduced dividends.
(wnp.pl)
