The President of the Polish Competition Authority, Tomasz Chróstny, has ruled that PKO BP's clauses concerning the unilateral change of interest rates on consumer loans are unlawful. As a result, the bank has been ordered to cease using these clauses and has been fined approximately 80 million PLN.

PKO BP is required to individually inform all affected consumers about this decision and to publish a statement on its website and social media channels. The ruling emphasizes that unlawful contractual provisions are ineffective by law and do not bind consumers, which may assist them in pursuing claims.

The contested provisions allowed the bank to change interest rates under certain conditions, but they lacked clarity and precision, leaving consumers unable to predict the economic consequences of their obligations. The authority stressed that banks must act transparently and professionally, ensuring consumers understand when and how costs may change.

This decision, once finalized, will affect all customers who entered into agreements based on the contested clauses. The bank has been using these provisions since December 15, 2018, and did not take steps to stop their use during the investigation, leading to the significant fine imposed.

While the decision is not yet final and PKO BP can appeal to the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection, it represents a critical step in protecting consumer rights against unfair contractual practices.