OJK Clarifies Banks Not Obliged to Extend Credit to Asta Cita Programme

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has emphasised that banks are not required to extend credit to the government’s priority programmes. OJK Commissioner Chair Friderica Widyasari Dewi stated that the revision to the Bank Business Plan (RBB) regulations merely encourages banks to consider the potential for expanding into these government priority programmes. “Actually, we see that the various priority programmes announced by the government represent business opportunities that banks can utilise,” said Friderica, quoted on Sunday (10/5/2026). Friderica, often called Kiki, cited one government programme as an example: the provision of 3 million homes. This programme is considered to have strong business value for banks in extending credit. In addition to recognising the significant potential, Kiki also warned that banks assessing and utilising this potential must still pay attention to the risks that may arise, ensuring strong risk management. “Let me clarify again, this is not mandatory. Furthermore, banks retain the flexibility to implement their credit extension strategies in line with each bank’s risk appetite and risk tolerance,” she explained. Kiki emphasised that credit decision-making by banks must be based on business judgement, as banks manage public funds. Therefore, banks are expected to have directed, measurable, and sustainable planning through the preparation of the RBB as stipulated by OJK. “Meanwhile, this revision to the RBB regulation is planned to be issued through the executive head of banking supervision. This will be discussed further. It is scheduled to be released in the third quarter of this year,” she said. It is known that OJK is encouraging banks to channel credit to government priority programmes through the revision of Regulation Number 5/POJK.03/2016 on RBB. This policy has the potential to create growth in sectors targeted by the government in its priority programmes.