Four banks fined by UOKiK, will pay PLN 150 mln for illegal clauses
Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) fined four banks a total of PLN 147.09 mln for contract clauses that allowed them to change terms unilaterally and introduce or raise fees. The challenged provisions covered bank accounts, payment and credit cards, loans and mortgages. Erste Bank Polska received the largest fine, PLN 80.68 mln, followed by ING Bank Śląski at PLN 63.25 mln. Bank Pocztowy was fined PLN 2.71 mln and Plus Bank PLN 453,000. UOKiK cited clauses that could permit fee increases of up to 200% after small changes in inflation or average wages.
The decisions are not final, and the banks may appeal. The regulator said customers who reject new terms could face immediate repayment demands.
(pb.pl)
