UKNF announces supervisory priorities for 2026- what lies ahead for the financial sector

The Polish Financial Supervision Authority (UKNF) has published its detailed supervisory priorities for 2026, setting out the key directions of supervisory activities across individual segments of the financial market. The document reflects a clear shift in focus towards risk management, customer protection, and increasing the efficiency and digital capability of supervision.

UKNF priorities for the banking sector- risk, CRR3, and customer protection

In the banking sector, UKNF plans to assess selected aspects of credit risk management and interest rate risk in the banking book, taking into account a scenario of heightened economic and financial uncertainty. Supervision will also focus on the functioning of key elements of the operational risk management framework, including a review of practices aimed at limiting the materialisation of such risk.

An important area will be the verification of the accuracy of capital requirement calculations for credit and operational risk, as well as an assessment of banks’ preparedness for the new regulatory requirements introduced under the CRR3 package, including changes to the approach to calculating capital requirements.

In addition, UKNF will review the quality of processes for launching new banking products, managing existing products and their distribution, as well as the level of protection of funds held by users of payment services.

Payment services under supervision- UKNF to check customer funds security

With regard to non-bank payment service providers, supervisory activities will focus on assessing the adequacy and quality of safeguards for clients’ funds, with particular attention to the risk of improper segregation and holding of those funds.

Capital market- new tools, fund supervision, and simplifications for issuers

In the capital market, UKNF intends to actively participate in the development of legal frameworks for products and solutions designed to encourage greater mobilisation of savings, including for the purpose of building retirement capital.

At the same time, the Authority will verify the offering of investment funds in terms of value for money for clients, as well as distributors’ practices relating to product selection and assessment. These measures are to be complemented by the implementation of a public tool enabling investors to compare investment funds in terms of costs, rates of return and risk.

UKNF also plans to intensify supervisory actions with respect to non-prospectus offerings in connection with the Listing Act regulations, and to further develop advanced analytical tools aimed at detecting insider trading and market manipulation. Additional initiatives include identifying potential simplifications in client assessment processes applied by investment firms and increasing the efficiency of prospectus-related procedures, inter alia by promoting the agreement of procedural timetables with issuers, shortening licensing processes and facilitating the submission of application documentation to the KNF.

UKNF on the insurance sector- solvency, claims settlement, and new regulatory obligations

Supervisory priorities for insurers include assessing the impact of geopolitical, climatic and demographic changes on the solvency of insurance and reinsurance undertakings. UKNF will examine interest rate risk and liquidity risk management, assumptions used for calculating technical provisions, and the scope of liability exclusions.

The Authority has announced intensified inspections relating to claims handling and sales practices in property insurance, an analysis of the insurance protection gap, and the issuance of recommendations concerning the distribution of such products. Supervision will also be adapted to new requirements arising from the amendment of the Solvency II Directive and the implementation of the IRRD Directive.

Consumer credit, AI, and operational resilience- UKNF focuses on horizontal priorities

UKNF has also announced its active involvement in work on the implementation of the CCD2 Directive, with an emphasis on ensuring proportionality of national implementing measures and supporting lenders in the adjustment process. In the legal area, the Authority will present its positions before the Court of Justice of the European Union in cases of key importance to market stability, including those concerning benchmark indices such as WIBOR.

At the same time, supervision will strengthen the operational and digital resilience of the financial market and expand the use of artificial intelligence, including natural language processing (NLP) tools, to support the automated analysis of documents and data submitted by supervised entities.

Get ready for 2026- gain an advantage with a strategic approach to regulation

The UKNF’s priorities for 2026 announce intensified supervision, new regulatory obligations, and the need to adapt systems, processes, and documentation.

If your organization operates in the banking, payment, investment, insurance, or credit sector, contact the Dudkowiak & Putyra team. We will help you map risk areas, comply with regulatory requirements, and leverage regulatory changes as a business advantage.