Tax on excess profits for banks. Katararna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz: They earn a lot of money

As she wrote on Sunday on the portal X Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, her proposal to introduce a tax on excess bank profits in Poland “launched the reaction of a pro-bank lobby” that defends banks.

“Banks (…) earn a lot of money. Four times more than average in the past 15 years. They earn because on the one hand: they offer very low interest rates – much below inflation, and on the other, very high -interest loans. So 'they' obtain 'money very cheaply, and sell very expensive

In this way she referred to – as she described – a myth, according to which, the significant profits of banks are the result of high base feet of the central bank.

Pełczyńska-Nałęcz estimated that the interest rate on loans does not have to be higher than the base rate of the NBP. She also reported that in July 2024 in 18 European Union countries the average interest rate on mortgage loans was lower than the base rate of the central bank. She added that at that time in Poland “a mortgage by over 2 % (by over 2 pp – ed.) He exceeded the NBP rates and was the most expensive in the EU.” The head of the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy also stated that banks do not finance Polish development, but with “soul”. In her opinion, banks – having “excess money” – do not have to strive for the client, which is why they offer unattractive credit terms. “Effect? ​​In Poland, we have the least development loans in the Union. And investments in companies decreased year -on -year by 7.8 percent” – she wrote. The minister also estimated that the introduction of tax on the excess profits of banks is a good solution, because it would force banks to finance Polish development. “Banks deprived of 'manny from heaven' will finally have to 'go to work' and look for earnings where they should – in the credit of Polish enterprises and letting money into Polish development. Because only by increasing the scale of activity will be able to rebuild lost profits,” she wrote.

Finance minister Andrzej Domański referred to her idea of ​​imposing a new tax on banks on Wednesday. He reported that banks are already paying very high taxes in Poland and assessed that the banking sector “is currently financing the economy”, because Polish companies after loans are turning to the banking sector. – Banks (…) are – when it comes to economy sectors – the largest payer. This is from CIT over PLN 13 billion (…), we still have a separate tax already imposed on banks, i.e. over PLN 6 billion of additional benefit – said Polish Radio Domański in the third program.

The head of the Ministry of Finance admitted that the results and profits of the banking sector “are actually high”, but indicating that the source of these results are high interest rateswhich is decided by the Monetary Policy Council. He added that – as expected by analysts – this year interest rates will fall, and with them “limited sector profits that are one -time” will fall.

Domański also pointed out that over 50 percent Banking sector assets in Poland are banks controlled by the state, which is why “the profits of these banks go in one form or in a very large form to the budget.”

The introduction of tax on excess profits in the banking sector of the Minister of Funds Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz proposed last week. She stated that tax on tax can be allocated, e.g. for investments in defense. – Banks in Poland currently achieve extraordinary profits, and there is something like tax on extraordinary profits. He can be one -time, introduced for a year, then possibly extended. Such a tax introduced The czech republicthey did something like that Italy, Spain. And in the current geopolitical situation, something similar should do Poland – tax banks from these excess profits – the minister pointed out in an interview with Puls Biznesu. She added that the point is that the flow of money from taxpayers, accumulated today in the income of banks, would return to society: “to security, maybe also for health.” She noticed that the additional effect would be such that banks would consider their income strategies for the coming years.