The bank's debt to members has grown from 83 million kronor two years ago, despite historical practices where members deposited about six percent of loan amounts as contributions that were supposed to be repaid within a year. In practice, repayments have lagged, with the bank paying out only about 500,000 kronor in the second half of 2025. JAK Medlemsbank disagrees with the portrayal in media and member testimonies, stating in a website announcement that it meets all financial requirements with a good margin and that repayments must align with regulatory frameworks.
The bank emphasizes that contributions form part of its equity and cannot be paid out faster without risking violations of Financial Supervisory Authority requirements, adding that it is working long-term to improve finances. The contributions are not covered by the deposit guarantee and effectively serve as risk capital, a fact many members were unaware of when taking loans. Despite leadership changes and cost-saving efforts, the bank continues to operate at a loss, and according to some assessors, a turnaround is not in sight.
What specific regulatory changes or financial improvements could accelerate repayments remains unclear, as does the number of affected members and the bank's detailed financial projections.