Tuesday, 14 October 2025
A new consumer study has found that 77% of Poles are unfamiliar with the concept of “credit scoring,” often confusing it with an assessment of income levels needed to obtain a loan. In response, the Credit Information Bureau (BIK) has sought to clarify how its scoring system works and to dispel common misconceptions about the effect of multiple loan applications on a person’s credit standing.
According to BIK, consumers comparing loan offers within a 14-day period can do so without lowering their credit score. Applications for the same type of loan made during those two weeks are treated as a single inquiry. The bureau notes that in almost all cases, loans are approved within two weeks of the first application, so typical comparison shopping has no negative effect on an applicant’s scoring.
BIK underlines that the main purpose of assessing creditworthiness is to prevent excessive borrowing and protect consumers from insolvency. While the final decision on granting a loan rests with banks and other lenders, the data gathered by BIK enables these institutions to make informed evaluations of a borrower’s overall financial behaviour. Since its establishment in 1997, BIK has served as Poland’s central credit register, collecting information from banks, credit unions, and lending firms to support responsible lending practices and encourage financial awareness among consumers.
Many people in Poland continue to conflate creditworthiness with credit scoring. Creditworthiness is an institution’s assessment of whether a borrower is able to repay a loan, taking into account income stability, living costs, and existing debt. This analysis is based on information provided by the client, as well as data obtained from financial records and external databases, including BIK.
BIK scoring, on the other hand, is a statistical indicator of a person’s likelihood to repay obligations, expressed on a scale from 0 to 100 points. The score is shaped by several key factors: how promptly a person repays debts, how they use credit products such as cards or instalment loans, their overall level of debt, and how often they apply for new credit. A higher score reflects a stronger repayment history and responsible borrowing habits.
Despite the growing importance of credit data in everyday financial decisions, BIK reports that public awareness remains limited. Few consumers regularly monitor their own scoring, even though it is easy to check through the BIK website. The online Credit Analyzer simulates how banks assess creditworthiness and helps users understand how taking out new loans may affect their financial stability.
BIK stresses that regular monitoring of one’s own credit data can help prevent over-borrowing and avoid the so-called “debt spiral.” People who frequently submit loan applications are statistically more likely to face repayment difficulties, which may in turn lower their credibility in the eyes of lenders.
Although various factors influence the final credit assessment, BIK reminds consumers that the most important one remains the timely repayment of obligations. Maintaining discipline in this area helps borrowers preserve a positive financial reputation and increases their access to credit in the future.
Source: BIK
