Bank BJB Strengthens Fishermen's Financial Literacy in Cirebon

Bank BJB has expanded financial literacy and financial inclusion for coastal communities through active participation in a financial education programme titled “Bahari Tangguh, Ekonomi Maju”, held at Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih, Gebang Mekar Village, Cirebon Regency, on Monday, 2 March 2026. This initiative forms part of the bank’s strategic effort to boost the capacity of fishermen to manage finances, recognising their key role in driving the regional coastal economy. By delivering education, Bank BJB aims to ensure that growth in the real sector within the fishing area is aligned with strengthening the financial foundations of fishermen households. Desa Gebang Mekar is part of the Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih programme established by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia. With a significant number of active fishing households and a dominance of capture fisheries, the area plays a strategic role in supporting the coastal economy of Cirebon Regency. Given this potential, Bank BJB believes that the fishing sector requires support not only on the production side, but also in income management, financial planning and access to safe and reliable formal financial services. In this event, Bank BJB is joined by various stakeholders, including the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in Cirebon, members of Commission XI of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), and the Cirebon Regency Government. This cross-sector collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem in coastal areas. As a regional development bank, Bank BJB is an important part of expanding access to banking services for fishermen. Through an educational approach, Bank BJB not only introduces products but also provides understanding of the importance of sound and planned financial management. The education covers basics such as family financial planning, cash flow management, the importance of saving, and prudent use of productive financing. Through this programme, Bank BJB also introduces access to productive financing to support the development of fishery enterprises, including equipment needs, vessel maintenance, and working capital. One concrete form of support introduced is facilities such as the Kredit Usaha Rakyat for fishermen, designed to provide affordable and suitable capital access for fisheries businesses. Bank BJB believes that financing support must be accompanied by sufficient understanding to avoid future risks. Therefore, education forms the foundation of every effort to broaden financial access. Strengthening literacy in the fishermen sector is expected to raise productivity and the economic resilience of families. With improved financial management, fishermen can plan investments in business, their children’s education, and financial protection for the future. Bank BJB sees that fishermen’s welfare is determined not only by catch yields but also by the ability to manage income in a disciplined and sustainable manner. Financial literacy is an important instrument in creating household economic stability. As a regional development bank, Bank BJB is committed to continuing to be present in coastal communities with an inclusive and solution-oriented approach. Support for local flagship sectors is part of a tangible contribution to regional economic development. This effort also aligns with national agendas to improve financial literacy and inclusion for Indonesian society. The synergy among regulators, legislators, local government and the banking industry is key to the success of the literacy programme. Through strengthened literacy and access to financing, fishermen in Cirebon Regency are expected to become more economically independent. This independence will directly contribute to more stable coastal economic growth. In future, Bank BJB will continue to expand literacy programmes to other regions, especially areas with local flagship sector potential that require support to strengthen financial capacity. A needs-based local approach will be the central strategy in each programme implementation. By understanding local characteristics, the education provided can be targeted more precisely and effectively. Bank BJB is confident that through robust literacy and financial inclusion, fishermen can gradually and sustainably improve family welfare whilst also strengthening regional economic resilience, particularly in Cirebon Regency and other coastal areas in Indonesia.