PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI has seized the opportunity from the decline in Bank Indonesia's (BI) benchmark interest rate to strengthen its liquidity position. This step is part of the bank's adaptive strategy in dealing with financial market dynamics.
“Since September 2024, BI has lowered its benchmark interest rate by 75 basis points from 6.25% to 5.50%. The decline in the BI Rate was also followed by an increase in liquidity in the market, providing space for banks to increase liquidity,” said BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo in a written statement.
According to Okki, BNI took a strategic step by focusing on sustainable Third Party Funds (DPK) from the retail segment.
“This strategy is in line with the bank's plan to raise DPK through the launch of the wondr and BNI Direct applications that we present to encourage transaction-based low-cost funds,” continued Okki.
This digital innovation, continued Okki, is expected to strengthen BNI's liquidity position in the long term.
Okki continued, apart from relying on DPK, BNI also strengthens funding from Non-DPK sources. “BNI can increase liquidity sourced from long-term Non-DPK funding in accordance with the Bank's Business Plan (RBB),” Okki explained.
He emphasized that the efficiency of the funding cost structure remains a major concern. This is done by considering competitive and changing market conditions. BNI actively evaluates the composition of the asset portfolio to remain optimal.
“However, this does not necessarily change the financing and loan strategy at BNI,” Okki said.
Through this strategy, BNI seeks to encourage asset growth while maintaining credit quality.