Poland has pushed back the deadline to phase out Wibor, its interbank lending benchmark, by nearly a decade — now extending until the end of 2036 for existing loan agreements. The delay came after commercial lenders raised concerns about the risks tied to switching borrowers to an entirely new index. Banks worried the transition could create confusion, cost borrowers, and expose their balance sheets to unnecessary volatility.

Wibor underpins roughly €600 billion in outstanding loans across Poland's banking system. A sudden shift to a replacement rate would have forced lenders to recalculate pricing and renegotiate terms across millions of contracts. Rather than push through a disruptive conversion, regulators opted for a gradual approach that gives the industry time to adapt.

For borrowers, the extension means current interest rate structures stay in place longer. Banks get breathing room to prepare their systems for whatever benchmark eventually replaces Wibor, though no replacement has been finalized. The move avoids an abrupt conversion that could rattle markets and preserve stability across Poland's lending sector.