Net interest incomeNarrow moat

PKO Bank Polski (PKO) — moat facet

The deposit franchise's earnings fell for the first time in the cycle as the margin came down from 4,91% to 4,47%.

Net interest income is the spread between what PKO earns on loans and securities and what it pays depositors. It was 24 223 million złoty in 2025, up 9,3% from 22 153 million 1, and 79,8% of the result on business activities 2.

Interest margin (%)4,80%20244,76%20254,91%H1 20254,47%H1 2026PKO directors reports 2025 and H1 2026: net interest income / average interest-bearing assets
The margin fell 44 basis points in a year, and net interest income fell with it despite a growing loan book.

It is paid on balances. PKO funded itself with 460 722 million złoty of customer deposits at an average cost of 1,80% against 315 953 million of financing granted to customers at the end of 2025 3, so a large part of its deposits is invested in securities rather than lent. The interest margin, net interest income over average interest-bearing assets, was 4,76% in 2025 against 4,80% in 2024 4.

The first half of 2026 reversed the growth. Net interest income was 12 027 million złoty, 0,9% less than a year earlier, and the interest margin fell to 4,47% from 4,91% 5. Financing granted to customers still grew, to about 338 billion złoty at June 2026 6, so the volume rose and the price fell faster.

This line carries the whole bank: costs of 9 439 million złoty and the 1 349 million bank levy in 2025 were paid out of a result that was four-fifths interest 7.

The number to watch is the interest margin. A margin below 4,2% with volumes still growing would mean the rate cycle is taking more than PKO's lending can replace.

Moat trajectory: Narrowing

Net interest income fell 0,9% in the first half of 2026 and the interest margin fell to 4,47% from 4,91%.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Net interest income, first half
12 027m zł in H1 2026, -0,9%

The spread is four-fifths of the bank; a second falling half would mean the rate cycle is outrunning loan growth.

Source: PKO directors' report H1 2026 ↗
References
  1. ReportedIt was 24 223 million złoty in 2025, up 9,3% from 22 153 million , and 79,8% of the result on business activities .
    PKO Bank Polski S.A. Group Directors' Report for 2025 - Group income statement (net interest income, net fee and commission income, other net income and its components, result on business activities) and basic financial data (interest margin, deposits, financing) — FY2024-FY2025 · publ. March 2026 · source ↗
  2. Moat Explorer calcIt was 24 223 million złoty in 2025, up 9,3% from 22 153 million , and 79,8% of the result on business activities .
    Moat Explorer calculation from PKO's directors' reports for 2025 and H1 2026: shares of the result on business activities — FY2025 to H1 2026 · publ. 2026-09-23 · source ↗
  3. ReportedPKO funded itself with 460 722 million złoty of customer deposits at an average cost of 1,80% against 315 953 million of financing granted to customers at the end of 2025 , so a large part of its deposits is invested in securities rather than lent.
    PKO Bank Polski S.A. Group Directors' Report for 2025 - Group income statement (net interest income, net fee and commission income, other net income and its components, result on business activities) and basic financial data (interest margin, deposits, financing) — FY2024-FY2025 · publ. March 2026 · source ↗
  4. ReportedThe interest margin, net interest income over average interest-bearing assets, was 4,76% in 2025 against 4,80% in 2024 .
    PKO Bank Polski S.A. Group Directors' Report for 2025 - Group income statement (net interest income, net fee and commission income, other net income and its components, result on business activities) and basic financial data (interest margin, deposits, financing) — FY2024-FY2025 · publ. March 2026 · source ↗
  5. ReportedNet interest income was 12 027 million złoty, 0,9% less than a year earlier, and the interest margin fell to 4,47% from 4,91% .
    PKO Bank Polski S.A. Group Directors' Report for the six months ended 30 June 2026 - income statement by line, interest margin, financing granted, write-downs and profit before tax — H1 2026 · publ. August 2026 · source ↗
  6. ReportedFinancing granted to customers still grew, to about 338 billion złoty at June 2026 , so the volume rose and the price fell faster.
    PKO Bank Polski S.A. Group Directors' Report for the six months ended 30 June 2026 - income statement by line, interest margin, financing granted, write-downs and profit before tax — H1 2026 · publ. August 2026 · source ↗
  7. ReportedThis line carries the whole bank: costs of 9 439 million złoty and the 1 349 million bank levy in 2025 were paid out of a result that was four-fifths interest .
    PKO Bank Polski S.A. Group Directors' Report for 2025 - Group income statement (net interest income, net fee and commission income, other net income and its components, result on business activities) and basic financial data (interest margin, deposits, financing) — FY2024-FY2025 · publ. March 2026 · source ↗
Sources
Generated September 24, 2026