Udruga Franak rejects HUB claims on CHF loan ruling, says banks must bear costs

The Croatian consumer association Udruga Franak dismissed statements made by the Croatian Bank Association (HUB) on 26 June, calling them false and accusing the group of trying to discourage borrowers of converted Swiss‑franc (CHF) loans. Franak said the Municipal Civil Court in Zagreb’s decision on 18 June follows a prior Supreme Court ruling and that, under Croatian and EU law, the legal costs of the proceedings should ultimately be paid by the banks.

Franka noted that the extended council of the court has not yet ruled on costs in cases involving only default interest, but that practice at the municipal court is already stable. The association cited several earlier judgments where courts awarded full procedural costs to consumers and urged lawyers to include claims for accrued interest from the conversion date and interest on that interest. Franak warned that HUB’s narrative aims to deter consumers from pursuing legal action and reiterated expectations that the Supreme Court will confirm banks’ liability for all costs.