KB Bank Strengthens Growth Through Partnerships, Services and Transformation

Amidst challenging global and domestic economic dynamics, the banking industry is required to maintain strong fundamentals and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. In this environment, PT Bank KB Indonesia Tbk (KB Bank) is continuing its transformation by focusing on strengthening its business fundamentals while driving quality growth in both its retail and wholesale banking segments. In the first quarter of 2026, KB Bank disbursed loans amounting to Rp43.19 trillion, with performing loans growing by 4.76% year-on-year. Net interest income surged 97.28% to Rp363 billion compared to the same period the previous year, while net interest margin also improved. On the funding side, current account and savings account (CASA) deposits grew 5.74% year-on-year to Rp13.09 trillion, out of total third-party funds of Rp41.52 trillion, reflecting a more efficient and sustainable funding structure. These fundamental improvements are taking place amidst an ongoing transformation process. Management emphasised that the current focus is not solely on short-term profit achievement, but on building a sustainable business foundation through strengthening asset quality, risk management discipline, and a healthier funding structure. President Director Kunardy Darma Lie stated that the initiatives undertaken this year are showing positive results, with the bank focusing on maintaining growth quality while strengthening business capabilities and services to deliver greater added value. In the wholesale segment, KB Bank has entered into several strategic financing partnerships in the real economy sector. It provided a financing facility of up to Rp720 billion to MGM Bosco Logistics to support national cold chain infrastructure expansion, and strengthened its partnership with PT Lucky Mom Indonesia (Makuku) with a facility of up to Rp400 billion in the consumer goods sector. In the technology sector, the bank arranged distributor financing worth Rp200 billion with PT ECS Indo Jaya to support the ICT distribution ecosystem, while in the commercial property sector, it extended a credit facility to PT Paramarta Rolas Jaya, part of the NWP Property group. These collaborations demonstrate KB Bank’s focus on sectors directly linked to real economic activity, while opening opportunities to develop transaction banking, cash management, trade finance, and ecosystem banking as new growth sources. In the retail segment, KB Bank inaugurated its renovated Semarang branch, equipped with a Priority Banking Centre to strengthen services for the affluent segment and expand engagement with the business community in Central Java. The bank’s digital capability strengthening also received recognition through three awards at the Infobank-Isentia Digital Brand Appreciation 2026 for digital services, debit cards, and credit cards. The bank is also undergoing an organisational transformation focused on strengthening operations and improving organisational effectiveness, including workforce optimisation to increase productivity and network management, all carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and good corporate governance principles. With capital and governance support from KB Financial Group, one of South Korea’s largest financial services groups, KB Bank believes the foundation being built will support consistent long-term growth. Despite ongoing challenges in the banking industry, a series of achievements throughout 2026 indicate that KB Bank is entering a more growth-oriented phase, making its development an interesting indicator for market participants to observe.