The history of mortgage loans is strictly connected with the history of the Polish banking system. The standard of housing was well below the European standards to which the country aspired, although it was, in fact, no worse than for most other countries at the similar stage of economic development. Housing matters as a major quality of life issue. Choice in housing is a key component of any democratic society. The way that housing was financed had a major positive impact on the national economy, financial markets and the quality of life, not only in Europe but also in The United States of America. A soundly financed housing sector played major role in economic growth and economic stabilization. Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę