Below is a list with tagged columns and company profiles.

Today's Headlines Banking

  • Bank Indonesia Positive about Banking Sector in 2016, Fitch Doubts

    The banking sector of Indonesia is expected to rebound in 2016 due to the lower primary reserve requirement ratio for rupiah deposits (6.5 percent), lower cost of funds as well as operational costs, rising credit volume (due to the lower interest rate environment) and improving purchasing power. The banking sector is also expected to feel the positive impact of the stimulus packages unveiled by the Indonesian government aimed at strengthening domestic businesses and improve the investment climate. And lastly, banks are to benefit from the government's push for infrastructure development.

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  • Bank Central Asia (BCA) Sees Solid Net Profit Growth in 2015

    Bank Central Asia (BCA), one of the largest banks in Indonesia, saw its net profit rise 9.3 percent year-on-year (y/y) to IDR 18 trillion (approx. USD $1.4 billion) in 2015, supported by strong loan growth and the relatively low cost of funds. Meanwhile, BCA's net interest income, the difference between interest earned and interest paid, grew 12 (y/y) to IDR 35.9 trillion (approx. USD $2.7 billion) and non-interest income, which includes fees such as deposit and transaction fees, rose 28.5 percent (y/y) to IDR 12 trillion (approx. USD $909 million).

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  • Which Indonesian Banks Are Ready for Lower Net Interest Margin (NIM)?

    In anticipation of the Financial Services Authority's new policy, Indonesian banks categorized under BUKU III claim to be ready for a lower net interest margin (NIM). NIM is the difference between interest income generated by banks and the amount of interest paid out to the lenders. BUKU (Bank Umum Kelompok Usaha) is a categorization system, designed by Bank Indonesia, that divides Indonesian banks into four categories based on the banks' capital. Banks categorized under BUKU III have capital between IDR 5 trillion (approx. USD $373 million) and IDR 30 trillion (approx. USD $2.2 billion).

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  • Lower Net Interest Margin; Indonesian Banks' Shares Plunge

    Shares of Indonesian banks were hit hard on Friday (19/02) after Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) announced its plan to push state-owned banks net interest margin (NIM) to the range of 3 to 4 percent in a bid to lower the country's lending rates, hence boosting credit growth. NIM is the difference between interest income generated by banks and the amount of interest paid out to the lenders. A higher NIM implies that banks are more profitable. Currently, the average NIM for Indonesia's state-owned banks is between 7 - 8 percent.

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  • Credit Growth Indonesia to Fall Short of Bank Indonesia Target

    Bank Indonesia, the central bank of Indonesia, expects banks' credit growth realization to reach 9-10 percent (y/y) in 2015, below its target of 11-13 percent (y/y). Up to October 2015 Indonesian banks' credit growth stood at 10.4 percent, slowing from 11.1 percent in the preceding month. Juda Agung, Executive Director of Economic and Monetary Policy Department Bank Indonesia, said slowing credit growth is in line with the economic slowdown.

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  • Update Majority Foreign Ownership in Indonesian Banks

    Contrary to earlier information, Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) is expected to somewhat limit investment opportunities for foreign investors in the country's banking sector. Nelson Tampubolon, Commissioner for Banking Supervision at the OJK, said foreigners will only be allowed to acquire a majority-stake in small Indonesian banks (categorized under the BUKU 1 system) provided that the foreigner purchases two (small) banks and merge these into one entity.

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  • Banking Sector Indonesia: Foreign Ownership & Sustainable Financing

    After having been limited to 40 percent for the last three years, foreign investors are now allowed to control a more-than-40 percent stake in Indonesian banks, provided that they buy two local banks and merge them into one. Indonesia's financial authorities gave the green light to two foreign banks (China Construction Bank Corporation and the South Korea-based Shinhan Bank) that seek to tap Indonesia's lucrative banking sector.

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  • Moody's Report: Indonesian Banks Can Weather Currency Volatility

    In a new report US-based rating agency Moody's Investors Service says that Indonesian banks are strong enough to cope with ongoing currency volatility and sluggish economic growth. Although sharp rupiah depreciation does imply risks, "Indonesian banks seem manageable", Moody's Vice President and Senior Credit Officer Srikanth Vadlamani said, "as over 70 percent of local banks' debt constitutes related-party debt, implying minimal risks to the domestic banking system".

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  • Stock Market & Rupiah Update Indonesia: China Data, Oil Price & Capital Surcharge

    In a draft regulation, Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK), the government agency that regulates and supervises the financial services sector, proposes that the country's leading banks have set aside more capital - between 1 and 3.5 percent of their risk-weighted assets (a "capital surcharge") by December 2015 - as a buffer against financial market volatility risks. The new policy aims to strengthen Indonesia's financial system amid the country's economic slowdown and severe external pressures (looming higher US interest rates and China's slowdown).

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  • Third Economic Policy Package of Indonesia to Cut Fuel Price & Lending Rates

    In Indonesian media more and more (unofficial) information circulates about the third installment of the government's economic policy package. This third installment, which is expected to be unveiled next week by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, involves lowering prices of gas, diesel and electricity (for industries) to avert more layoffs in Indonesia's manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, the government may lower lending rates (by cutting unnecessary costs) in order to boost credit expansion in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

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Latest Columns Banking

  • Indonesia's Benchmark Stock Index (IHSG) up 0.17% on Thursday

    Despite concerns that Indonesia's benchmark stock index (IHSG) would weaken on Thursday's trading day (12/09), the index ended 0.17 percent up to 4,356.61 points. Indices on Wall Street and in Asia impacted positively on the IHSG and kept foreign investors increasing their stock portfolios in Indonesia. Moreover, the Bank Indonesia's decision to raise the country's benchmark interest rate (BI rate) by 25 basis points to 7.25 percent was generally well-received by investors. Banking stocks helped to support the IHSG.

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  • Fitch Ratings: Major Indonesian Banks Resilient Against Market Turmoil

    According to global credit rating and research agency Fitch Ratings, Indonesia's major banks are robust against the rupiah currency slide due to their low unhedged foreign currency exposure, strong loss-absorption cushions and - in some cases - foreign ownership. The slowdown in the economy will weigh on these (rated) banks' operating environment, but is unlikely to damage their credit profiles to any great extent. Below we provide Fitch Ratings' report. This report can also be accessed on their website.

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  • Despite Higher Idul Fitri Consumption, Indonesia May Not Reach GDP Target

    Although the holy fasting month of Ramadan and subsequent Idul Fitri celebrations always provide a boost for national economic growth in Indonesia as domestic consumption tends to peak, analysts believe that it will not contribute significantly to the government's 6.3 percent GDP growth target this year. During Ramadan and Idul Fitri (known as Lebaran), Indonesian consumers generally spend more on food products, clothes, shoes, tickets for transport and hotels than in other months, and thus lead to increased economic activity.

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  • Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index Volatile but Slightly up Last Week

    After finishing last week with three consecutive days of gains, Indonesia's main stock index (IHSG) reached up to 4,633.11. However, its movement is still rather volatile. Property, finance and consumption stocks were sold by investors after seeing the benchmark interest rate raised by Bank Indonesia (by 50 bps to 6.50 percent) on Thursday (11/07), while metal stocks formed the main supporter of the index at the end of the week. Trading volume in the regular market hit 5.2 trillion and foreigners recorded net purchases of IDR 288 billion.

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  • Amid Weak Asian Indices, Indonesia's Main Stock Index Falls 3.68%

    Indonesia's main stock index (IHSG) fell 3.68 percent to 4,433.63 on Monday's trading day (08/07). This current level is the lowest level of the IHSG since 26 June 2013. Of the 473 listed companies, 263 were down, 21 were up and the remainder did not move. Most Asian indices fell due to concerns about China's credit crisis that may impact on the country's economic growth and that the positive US employment report will affect continuation of the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 1.6 percent.

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  • Strong Rebound in Indonesia's IHSG, BI Rate Hike Well-Received

    On Friday (14/06), the main stock index of Indonesia (IHSG) jumped 3.32 percent to 4,760.74 points as financial market participants were optimistic about the effects of the higher central bank interest rate that was announced the day before. Moreover, Indonesia's IHSG was supported by a green wave across Asian stock markets, which was partly due to a strong rebound in markets in the United States on Thursday (13/06). Stocks in Indonesia's banking and property sectors were the top-gainers on Friday's trading day.

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  • Indonesia's Central Bank Keeps Its Benchmark Rate at Record Low 5.75 Percent

    The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia, or BI) decided to maintain its record low policy rate for the 15th straight month at 5.75 percent as it is considered consistent with its inflation target range of 3.5-5.5 percent in 2013 and 2014. The central bank also stated that the global economic recovery is accompanied by many uncertainties which result in a lower forecast for Indonesia's economic growth. The full press release of Bank Indonesia can be read below.

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  • Despite Growth Some Issues Block Indonesia's Financial and Property Stocks

    In its most recent report, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts Indonesia to continue its robust economic growth. Last year, the economy of Indonesia expanded 6.23 percent, and according to the ADB this figure will rise to 6.4 percent in 2013 and 6.6 percent in 2014. However, since the start of April there have been some issues that are causing Indonesia's stock indices to go down. Although believed to be only temporary, it is worth taking a closer look.

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  • Bailout in Cyprus Impacts Negatively on the Indonesia Stock Exchange

    We had hoped for a continuation of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG)'s rebound after forming a green candle. It failed, however, due to negative market sentiments brought on by the bailout of Cyprus. Also, selling pressures on American stock markets late last week blocked a potential longer rally. The IHSG felt the impact of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) that fell after a weaker NY Empire State Manufacturing Index as well as Consumer Sentiment.

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  • BRI's 2012 Results Mark the Continued Strength of Indonesia's Financial Sector

    Indonesian commercial banks have shown good performance in recent years as economic growth of over six percent fuels loan demand from the people and businesses. Domestic consumption and investment are the two main drivers of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Together, these two components account for almost 90 percent of GDP. As such, lenders are in a comfortable position.

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