Airlangga: Bullion bank customers reach 5.7 million, up sharply in a year
These achievements are inseparable from the roles of ministries and agencies working with Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs to promote financial literacy and financial welfare.
Jakarta — Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the number of bullion bank customers has risen significantly in the past year, from 3.2 million people in February 2025 to 5.7 million currently.
As is known, bullion banks were officially launched by President Prabowo Subianto on 26 February 2025, with PT Pegadaian and Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) being the first two financial institutions to obtain licences to operate the service.
‘The amount pledged at Pegadaian, the value of the gold has increased to 144.7 tonnes from 94 tonnes. Those who have used it as collateral for loans have also risen by 38.5 tonnes or equivalent to Rp102 trillion. Likewise at BSI it has increased, now reaching 22 tonnes,’ Airlangga said at the launch of ‘AKSI KLIK’ and ‘AKU BISA SEJAHTERA’, which was attended online in Jakarta on Friday.
With this upward trend, Airlangga affirmed that one factor contributing to inflation is the rising purchase of gold.
At the bullion bank launch, he noted, gold prices were in the range of USD 3,000 per troy ounce, whereas now they have reached around USD 5,000 per troy ounce.
He said the rise is driven by wartime circumstances that push global uncertainty, making gold a safe haven instrument chosen by the public.
‘These achievements are not separable from the roles of ministries and agencies working with BI and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs to promote financial literacy and financial welfare,’ Airlangga said.
Referring to the results of the National Survey on Financial Literacy and Inclusion conducted by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2025, the level of financial inclusion among Indonesians is above the level of financial literacy.
The inclusion index reached 92.74 percent, calculated using indicators of financial products and payments under supervision of OJK and Bank Indonesia (BI), and including products from BPJS and other financial service institutions.
Airlangga regarded this achievement as relatively good, being above the OECD average. However, the literacy index remains at 66.64 percent.
He added that more than 10 million people participate in the National Financial Smart Movement (GENCARKAN).
Payment technology such as QRIS has overcome barriers of distance, access, and cost. In addition, the smart-activity agents (agen laku pandai), predominantly MSMEs, play a crucial role in expanding financial inclusion across 514 regencies and cities.
‘Financial inclusion progress is significant. The literacy gap remains, and we continue to strive so that people can manage risks, especially regarding cash flow and future financial planning. Therefore, digital literacy has become one of the priorities and solutions to truly improve people’s welfare and provide convenience,’ Airlangga said.
He also stated that President Prabowo continues to push the transformation of financial policy not only to improve literacy and financial inclusion but also to enable achieving financial well-being.
Airlangga reminded that financial access must deliver tangible impact, especially in helping people withstand economic shocks, plan for the future, and raise confidence in managing their own finances.
According to him, financial well-being is crucial and increasingly complex. This includes knowledge of various financial products, understanding risks when entering the investment sector, and the development of digitalisation which is also accompanied by potential fraud.
Airlangga also said that the President has ordered the formation of the National Council for Financial Well-Being (DNKK) to complement the National Council for Financial Inclusion (DNKI), with the government currently preparing the legal infrastructure in line with the P2SK Law.