20 Zlotys – Poland

In 2007, Poland's currency situation was characterized by a period of significant strength and appreciation for the Polish złoty (PLN), driven by robust economic fundamentals and investor optimism. The country, having joined the European Union in 2004, was experiencing strong GDP growth (over 6% in 2007), declining unemployment, and substantial inflows of EU structural funds. This attracted considerable foreign direct investment and speculative capital, increasing demand for the złoty. Consequently, the PLN appreciated notably against major currencies, particularly the euro and the US dollar, reaching its strongest levels in years.

This appreciation presented a complex policy challenge for the National Bank of Poland (NBP). While a strong currency helped curb inflation by making imports cheaper, it also began to threaten the competitiveness of Polish exports, a key driver of the country's economic growth. The central bank, under President Sławomir Skrzypek, intervened periodically in foreign exchange markets to temper the złoty's rise, but largely maintained a policy of non-intervention, allowing the currency to float relatively freely. Interest rates were also raised cautiously to manage inflation, which further supported the currency by attracting yield-seeking investors.

The overall sentiment in 2007 was one of confidence, with the strong złoty symbolizing Poland's successful economic transition and convergence with Western Europe. Discussions about eventually adopting the euro were active, though no formal target date was set, with authorities emphasizing the need to meet the Maastricht criteria sustainably. However, the currency's strength also contained vulnerabilities, as it was partly fueled by global risk appetite. This left the złoty exposed to a potential shift in investor sentiment, a risk that would materialize dramatically in the following year with the onset of the global financial crisis, which triggered a sharp and sudden depreciation of the Polish currency.