Mataram Residents Enthusiastically Exchange New Currency, Arriving Before Banks Open

Tari, a resident of Narmada in West Lombok, arrived early at Bank Mega’s office on Jalan Pejanggik in Mataram, departing her home before 08.00 Wita to prepare for the currency exchange session scheduled from 09.00-10.00 Wita.

“This is the second year I have exchanged new banknotes at Bank Mega. I chose Mataram because there are no exchange options in Narmada. There is one in West Lombok, but it is quite far away in Gerung,” Tari explained during an interview on Friday, 27 February 2026, after exchanging small denomination notes.

According to Tari, when registering through Bank Indonesia’s website, she deliberately selected Bank Mega for the currency exchange because the process is exceptionally swift compared to other commercial banks. “The process here is quick—less than five minutes,” she noted.

For this exchange, Tari exchanged Rp 2.8 million in denominations of Rp 1,000, Rp 2,000, Rp 5,000, Rp 10,000 and Rp 20,000. “This is for personal exchange. I exchanged Rp 2.8 million. Alhamdulillah, there were no issues when I registered yesterday, so I simply selected this location for the exchange,” she explained.

At approximately 09.10 Wita on Friday, observations at the location showed approximately 10 people queuing to exchange new banknotes at Bank Mega in Cakranegara, Mataram. They stood in an orderly queue whilst preparing their exchange documents and identity cards.

Jumi, a resident of Gegutu in Mataram, was the first person to arrive for the currency exchange at Bank Mega, Cakranegara. “Alhamdulillah, I managed to queue here. It turns out it is not too crowded—previously I used to exchange money at the Islamic Centre,” she said during Friday’s interview.

Jumi exchanged Rp 5.3 million in new banknotes comprising Rp 1,000, Rp 2,000, Rp 5,000, Rp 10,000, Rp 20,000, Rp 50,000 and Rp 100,000 denominations. “I exchanged Rp 5.3 million. Alhamdulillah it was quick, probably because it had rained, so there was not too large a queue. The only inconvenient part was the registration process, but once you have received your scheduled time, it is remarkably fast,” she noted.

Currency exchange services are available through mobile exchange units and commercial bank offices, coordinated through Bank Indonesia’s PINTAR application, accessible at https://pintar.bi.go.id.