BRILink Agent Bu Elin a Vital Hub for Locals to Withdraw Social Assistance Funds

Since morning, Dede Elin’s BRILink agent outlet at Tata Media has never been empty of visitors. They come in turns to withdraw government-distributed social assistance funds. Located in Babakan Village, Ciseeng Subdistrict, Bogor Regency, Elin’s BRILink outlet is a trusted spot for residents to conduct various financial transactions, including cash withdrawals, deposits, bill payments, and social assistance disbursements such as the Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT). Elin started her BRILink agency business inspired by her sibling who had already opened a similar outlet. She also saw business opportunities in the BRILink service due to increasing banking transactions. ‘From that, I started in 2020 until now, which is six years,’ Elin said. Elin chose BRI because of its simpler process compared to other banks. She added that BRI has a large customer base, even in remote villages. ‘Here in the village, many fish farmers use BRI, as do other entrepreneurs,’ said the 45-year-old. Most customers at Elin’s outlet are locals from various backgrounds. She cited traders who sell in the market at night and withdraw funds via her BRILink outlet in the morning. In addition to cash withdrawals, Elin’s BRILink stall serves residents for paying electricity tokens, water bills, mobile top-ups, and BPJS health insurance. She is grateful her BRILink agency work has sustained her business. After six years operating the BRILink agency, Elin said her business has progressed positively. She also appreciates having daily activities close to home. ‘So I have my own activities, besides managing household duties,’ Elin said. In addition to BRILink transactions, Elin uses her stall to sell cosmetics. All her business transactions are now connected to BRI services. ‘Payments are all via QRIS, fully integrated,’ Elin said. Elin said her BRILink stall now handles around 100 transactions daily, a significant increase from the 10 transactions when she first opened in 2020. ‘In 2020, it was 10 transactions, then 20, 30, with steady growth. Over the past two years, alhamdulillah, it’s reached 100 transactions,’ she said. Elin is grateful her BRILink agency has improved her family’s economy. The income helps cover her children’s school expenses. ‘The income, alhamdulillah, helps the family, covers household needs, and school fees,’ Elin said. Beyond her family, the BRILink agency benefits locals. Elin said residents appreciate the closer and easier access to banking services. ‘Going to the bank is far away and involves queuing. With BRILink, it’s much closer for local residents,’ she said. Looking ahead, Elin hopes to open a new BRILink branch and is currently seeking a suitable location. ‘I see BRILink agents opening branches elsewhere. Many friends have opened one or two. The prospects are good, especially in rural areas like this,’ she added. Elin said her BRILink outlet also assists residents in withdrawing government social assistance funds. On a single day, she serves around 200 people for these transactions, in addition to regular ones. ‘BRI also supports programmes like the monthly BLT, BPNT, and PKH. People come here to collect them,’ Elin said. The benefits of BRILink are felt by local resident Eni (30), who withdraws PKH funds at Elin’s outlet. Eni said she visits the BRILink outlet for its easy and quick transactions, noting that BRILink genuinely helps the community. ‘For me, it’s helpful because it’s close by,’ Eni said after completing her transaction. Santi Fitriyanti, Head of BRI Kemang Unit in Bogor Regency, praised Elin as a growing BRILink agent in the area. Santi noted Elin’s keen eye for the business potential of BRILink services. ‘She has clearly experienced the benefits of BRILink agents, as seen in her growing assets,’ Santi said. Santi stated that Kemang in Bogor has significant potential for BRILink agents, as many residents live far from bank branches, making BRILink a solution to bring banking services closer to the community. ‘They rely heavily on BRILink agents for banking access, bringing services closer to them,’ Santi said. Additionally, Santi said BRILink agents offer more flexible operating hours than banks, allowing residents to transact even in the late afternoon or evening. Santi added that BRILink agents are widely used by the public to withdraw government social assistance, with quicker transactions compared to visiting a bank. ‘The public prefers transacting for these assistance disbursements at BRILink agents due to speed,’ she added. She stressed BRI’s commitment to strengthening and expanding BRILink agents, noting that they have become a driving force