BTN issues 9,800 USU co-branding student cards to expand campus support

PT Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) is expanding its support for the transaction ecosystem within higher education through the issuance of approximately 9,800 co-branding student identity cards (KTM) in collaboration with Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU). The move is part of BTN’s transformation to strengthen its transactional business while building long-term relationships with the younger generation, according to BTN President Director Nixon L.P. Napitupulu. The launch took place during USU’s Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB) event in Medan. The 9,800 cards comprise around 8,300 cards for new undergraduate students from 16 faculties and 1,500 cards for postgraduate students. The USU-BTN co-branding KTM integrates student identity functions with access to BTN banking services, allowing students to use the card for daily transactions and to access the bank’s digital ecosystem, balé by BTN. Nixon, who is also a USU alumnus, said the collaboration held special meaning for him. Speaking before thousands of new students, he recalled undergoing the same phase as a USU student and urged them to work hard during their studies and make their families proud. He noted that USU students would now use a student identity card that also functions as an ATM, and expressed hope that students would use the balé by BTN super app to access special programmes and discounts. The collaboration with USU is part of BTN’s strategy to expand its role as a transactional bank, complementing the company’s strength in housing finance. The higher education ecosystem is a strategic segment for increasing transactions and low-cost funding while expanding BTN’s customer base. For BTN, relationships with students are built for the long term, from transaction needs during university, entering the workforce and starting businesses, to the later phase of owning a first home. The USU collaboration continues BTN’s strategy of strengthening support for Indonesia’s higher education ecosystem. In August 2026, BTN also launched co-branding KTM with Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) for around 17,000 new students and introduced integrated KTM for nearly 12,000 new students at Universitas Negeri Semarang (Unnes). With the addition of around 9,800 USU cards, approximately 38,800 BTN co-branding KTM were launched through collaborations with the three universities in August 2026. This expansion serves as an entry point for BTN to enlarge its transaction ecosystem and introduce financial services to the younger generation. Going forward, the collaboration between BTN and USU will be expanded to include digitalisation of financial services, financial literacy, student entrepreneurship development, and services for academic staff and alumni. BTN aims to become a strategic banking partner for USU. In addition to the KTM launch, BTN handed over 10 Lahsamor units, organic waste processing machines, to support environmental management at USU. The initiative aligns with BTN’s commitment to supporting sustainability by expanding the company’s role in delivering economic, social and environmental value to the community.