BNI: 80 Years Reflects Consistency in Maintaining Public Trust

Putrama Wahju Setyawan, President Director of PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, stated that BNI’s 80-year journey reflects not only business growth but also the company’s consistency in maintaining public trust. Ahead of its 80th anniversary on 5 July 2026, BNI is carrying the theme ‘Swadharma Bhakti Nagara’ as a reflection of the company’s journey in serving the nation, state, and people of Indonesia. According to Putrama, BNI’s ability to survive, grow, and remain relevant for eight decades rests on the value of Swadharma Bhakti Nagara. This value serves as a compass in carrying out professional responsibilities, serving the community, and contributing to the national interest. He explained that Swadharma reflects the awareness to carry out responsibilities with discipline, integrity, and competence. Bhakti describes the spirit of service so that every business decision provides broader benefits to society. Meanwhile, Nagara affirms BNI’s orientation to support national development and maintain the stability of the Indonesian economy. These values are manifested in BNI’s work culture through three main behaviours: Seva, Karya, and Raksa. Seva emphasises wholehearted service and trust-building; Karya encourages professionalism and results orientation; while Raksa underscores the importance of integrity, good governance, and prudent risk management. Putrama stated that this philosophy is BNI’s foundation in facing changing times. BNI was founded by R.M. Margono Djojohadikusumo, a national economic figure who helped lay the early institutional foundations of the Republic of Indonesia’s financial system. R.M. Margono Djojohadikusumo is also known as the grandfather of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto. As the founder of BNI, R.M. Margono Djojohadikusumo instilled a spirit of service to the country that continues to live on in the company’s journey. This spirit aligns with the value of Swadharma Bhakti Nagara, which reflects BNI’s identity as a bank born from the spirit of struggle and bearing the responsibility to serve the nation. As the first bank owned by the Republic of Indonesia, BNI played a role in the issuance of Oeang Republik Indonesia (ORI) as a symbol of the nation’s economic sovereignty. Since then, BNI has continued to grow alongside Indonesia’s journey from the early days of independence to becoming one of the largest economic forces in Southeast Asia. In its development, the company has been present in various needs of cross-generational communities, from education, employment, and business to investment and retirement. The company has also expanded access to financial services through its branch office network, digital services, and Agen46 agents reaching various regions across Indonesia. BNI has continued to adapt to the changing needs of society. From conventional face-to-face banking services, BNI has evolved into a modern financial institution that integrates technology into various aspects of its services. This transformation remains rooted in the spirit of ‘Melayani Sepenuh Hati’ (Serving Wholeheartedly) so that the innovations presented remain oriented towards customer comfort and needs. ‘However, behind these various changes, one thing remains the same: BNI’s spirit of service to the nation. Strategies and technology will continue to evolve with the times, but the values of Swadharma Bhakti Nagara will always be the compass guiding our every step in serving Indonesia,’ said Putrama.