The Polish competition authority, UOKiK, has imposed fines totaling 147.09 million PLN on four banks: Bank Pocztowy, Erste Bank Polska, ING Bank Śląski, and Plus Bank. These fines were a result of the banks using clauses that permitted them to unilaterally change the terms of contracts, including fees and commissions, without clear justification.

UOKiK's President, Tomasz Chróstny, emphasized that banks must clearly define the conditions under which they can modify existing agreements. Consumers should be aware of these rules at the time of signing the contract. The fines imposed include 2.71 million PLN on Bank Pocztowy, 80.68 million PLN on Erste Bank Polska, 63.25 million PLN on ING Bank Śląski, and 453 thousand PLN on Plus Bank.

Examples of the contested clauses included vague terms that allowed for fee increases based on minor inflation changes or other economic indicators. UOKiK argued that such general terms do not provide consumers with sufficient clarity regarding potential changes to their agreements.

Chróstny pointed out that consumers make decisions based on specific conditions, and unilateral changes by banks could significantly impact their financial situations. The authority has reiterated that the rules for modifying contracts must be transparent and verifiable, aligning with EU court rulings.