BUMN Observer: Himbara Plays A Very Important Role In Moving The National Economy

JAKARTA - BUMN observer who also serves as Managing Director of the FEB Management Institute, University of Indonesia, Toto Pranoto, said state-owned banks (Himbara) have a very important role to play in driving the economy amid uncertainty due to the slowdown in the world economy.

Throughout 2024, the intermediation function of Himbara banks has been quite good, as can be seen from the ability to bridge fund owners with parties who need funds. Himbara recorded positive credit growth in various segments, including BRI lending growing 6.97 percent year on year (yoy) to Rp1,354.64 trillion, most of which was 81.97 percent distributed to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) segment.

Bank Mandiri recorded total consolidated credit disbursement of Rp1,670.55 trillion, an increase of 19.5 percent yoy. Unlike BRI, the loans disbursed by Mandiri targeted the wholesale segment, which is the main motor of Indonesia's economic growth, such as the energy, infrastructure and food sector. Then, BNI posted credit growth of 11.6 percent yoy to Rp775.87 trillion and BTN recorded credit growth of 7.3 percent yoy, from Rp33.69 trillion to Rp357.97 trillion, with the majority credit to the housing sector both subsidies and non-subsidized.

Not only in terms of intermediation functions, Himbara's positive performance can also be seen from the collection of third party funds (DPK), where BRI's DPK reached Rp1,365.45 trillion with a current account saving account (CASA) composition of 67.30 percent or Rp918.98 trillion. Bank Mandiri recorded a deposit of Rp1,699 trillion with CASA dominating 80.3 percent of the total DPK.

BNI's growth in DPK was also achieved which grew by 11 percent yoy, from Rp232 trillion in 2023 to Rp258 trillion in 2024. Likewise with BTN which posted growth in DPK 9.1 percent yoy, from Rp349.93 trillion to Rp381.67 trillion with a CASA ratio of 54.1 percent.

"The intermediation function is going well if the trend increases. It's also good to monitor it apart from last year's three months," said Toto, Wednesday, March 19.

Toto further explained to see whether the current economic condition is in an increasing trend or vice versa, it can be a trend of bank credit to consumers at the same time whether it goes up, down, or stagnant.

"This condition will provide clues whether the current economic condition is in an increasing trend or vice versa," he explained.

According to Toto, the bank's strategy in an increasingly difficult economy will certainly be more conservative. Himbara Bank will certainly also reduce the risk of potential credit disbursement in high-risk sectors.

However, unlike pure private banks and only focus on pursuing the supply and avoiding the risk as much as possible, the manager's duties of Himbara banks must be large because they must carry out various assignments from the state. For example, must be present and reach the community in the regions, including being the economic support at the time and post-COVID-19 crisis.

Homework for Himbara bank managers is also getting bigger because there are demands to make bank operations more efficient going forward. Net Interest Margin (NIM) can be an indicator of banking management's ability to manage productive assets to generate net interest income.

The greater challenge and the need to maintain this excellent performance, makes Himbara's management deserve remuneration in return.

As is known, the 2024 consolidated financial performance report, Himbara managed to record significant profits that would be deposited into the state and shareholders, namely BRI amounting to IDR 60.64 trillion, Bank Mandiri IDR 55.78 trillion, BNI IDR 21.5 trillion, and BTN IDR 3 trillion.