BPD Bosses Reveal Synergy Opportunities with BPR and BPRS

The Regional Development Bank (BPD) industry is opening up opportunities for collaboration with Rural Banks (BPR) and Sharia Rural Banks (BPRS). This cooperation is considered to have interesting potential.

President Director of Bank Jakarta, Agus Haryoto Widodo, revealed that BPDs and BPRs or BPRS each have their own advantages. According to him, this segmental cooperation can be placed within an appropriate structure.

“Compared to BPRs or BPRS, BPDs have relatively better resources in terms of people, technology, and networks. On the other hand, BPRs or BPRS have proximity to the micro market and better access to services for segments that are difficult for BPDs to reach. This can be synergised,” Agus said at the Regional Bank Summit 2026: Strategic Transformation of BPDs in Driving National Development, on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

However, he stressed that such cooperation must pay attention to the risks for each institution.

“In this concept, BPDs must know and understand the underlying borrower so that the risk can be measured by the BPD. But in principle, cooperation is very good for both parties,” Agus emphasised.

On the same occasion, President Director of Bank Jatim, Winardi Legowo, said that synergy between BPDs and BPR/BPRS can be established through the respective strengths of the institutions. BPDs bring governance and technology, while BPRs and BPRS offer reach into ultra-micro or micro credit.

“For example, we encourage BPRs to serve market traders whose credit needs are ultra-micro or micro. It is best given to them, and vice versa,” he explained.