Danantara CEO Urges Himbara Banks to Boost Efficiency After BI Rate Hike

The Chief Executive Officer of the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara), Rosan Roeslani, has responded to Bank Indonesia’s decision to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.75% on Thursday (18/6/2026). He expressed hope that banks would continue to improve their efficiency and productivity, despite the increase in the benchmark rate. This was stated following a meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and the directors and commissioners of the Himbara banks at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

According to his records, bank lending performance in 2025-2026 has risen by an average of 15%, with liquidity and third-party funds also increasing. “Liquidity and third-party funds are maintained and have also grown by double digits. Importantly, the non-performing loan ratio at Bank Mandiri is only 0.9%, so the average NPL for Himbara banks is currently between 0.9% and 1.8%,” Rosan said.

He stressed that banking efficiency must now be enhanced to ensure the rate hike does not negatively impact lending rates to the public. “That is precisely what needs to be improved and made more efficient, so that even with a rate increase, lending to the public and the business sector, especially MSMEs, can be maintained at a good and stable level,” he explained.

In a separate statement, BPI Danantara Chief Investment Officer Pandu Sjahrir said that Danantara and the banks would follow the decisions of policymakers, in this case Bank Indonesia, regarding both fiscal and monetary policy. Regarding the benchmark rate increase, Danantara will fully support the decision. “We will definitely support it; they must have their calculations. For us at Danantara, as market participants, we will do our best,” he stated.

Both Rosan and Pandu also confirmed that President Prabowo Subianto did not issue any directive for Himbara banks to hold their lending rates, despite Bank Indonesia raising the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.75%. “There was none, no directive,” Rosan said. “There was no directive; it was just a philosophical discussion about Indonesia and our direction. I think the presentation was positive,” Pandu added.