President: The Banking System Is In Good Condition

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo said Wednesday, September 9, that bankers had reported to him that the national banking system is in good shape despite the sluggish economy.

"Before entering this room I exchange ideas with the bank directors," the President said after opening the Indonesia Banking Expo (Ibex) 2015 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).

President Jokowi mentioned in that occasion he asked about the current banking situation and asked the bankers to be open in explaining actual conditions.

"I asked them to be blunt just how the actual condition of banks, and they told me not to worry," said Jokowi.

The President said the bankers mentioned that non-performing loans (NPL) as well as credit growth are not alarming.

"Credit growth reached 15-16 percent. There is still growth," he said.

Regarding profit, continued the President, the President Director of BCA recognizes the existence of a slight decline.

"Thanks to the directors of the bank on exchange thoughts earlier, despite good banking conditions, we must be careful and vigilant," he said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also expressed his appreciation to the National Bank Association (Perbanas), which organized Ibex for the fifth time on September 9 to 11, 2015.

According to the President, the theme of Ibex 2015 on Digital Banking Development in Expanding Access to Finance and Community Services is in accordance with efforts to improve the society’s financial inclusion.

"The level of our financial inclusion is still low, only 54 percent of the population has access to formal financial institutions," he said.

According to him, people living in remote areas, on the border and on islands should be reached by formal financial institutions.

ANTARA