BTN Welcomes Plan for Additional Rp100 Trillion in Budget Reserve Funds

Jakarta — The government’s plan to place approximately Rp100 trillion in Budget Reserve (Saldo Anggaran Lebih/SAL) funds within the banking sector has been welcomed positively by PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk. The policy is viewed as capable of helping maintain bank liquidity so that credit distribution to the public continues smoothly.

Rully Setiawan, Director of Network and Retail Funding at BTN, stated that SAL fund placement represents the right step to maintain balance in banking sector liquidity, especially when financing needs increase.

“We view this increase in SAL funds as a positive initiative from the government to ensure banking liquidity remains secure,” Rully said.

Previously, the government had placed approximately Rp200 trillion in SAL funds at various state-owned banks to maintain stability in the financial system’s liquidity. The placement has been extended through September 2026.

Rully explained that the policy helps banks maintain the availability of funds for financing. With adequate liquidity, banks can distribute credit without having to compete too intensely to gather public deposits.

BTN, for example, received an allocation of approximately Rp25 trillion from the previous SAL fund placement. Those funds were subsequently utilised to support credit distribution across various sectors.

“The funds were fully deployed for our credit distribution. Not only for mortgages, but also for financing small and medium enterprises and other business sectors,” he said.

According to Rully, banking liquidity came under pressure in early 2025 when financing needs increased, whilst some public funds began shifting to various investment instruments.

“In early last year there was indeed competition for liquidity among banks. However, that situation was greatly helped by the placement of SAL funds,” he said.

He assessed that the additional SAL fund placement will provide greater room for banks to distribute financing to productive sectors, including small and medium enterprises that still require access to capital.

“Indonesia’s economic fundamentals remain sound. SMEs are also growing and continue to require financing from banks,” he said.