OJK Leak: Indonesian Banks Poised for Upgrade to Major League
The Financial Services Authority (OJK) estimates that two to three banks have the potential to upgrade to “big bank” status. As known, OJK’s Executive Head of Banking Supervision, Dian Ediana Rae, stated last year that they are encouraging an increase in the number of banks in the core capital-based bank group (KBMI) IV category.
“This year, if I estimate, it could be around two or three [banks upgrading to KBMI IV],” said Dian when met at the Supreme Court on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
According to her, several banks have already applied for the upgrade. Dian noted that their capital positions are already close to the threshold for meeting the requirements of the bank category with core capital above Rp70 trillion.
“So far, several banks have applied, and looking at the figures, they are actually quite close; just a little more and they will enter KBMI IV,” she stated.
She assured that the authority will continuously encourage banks to upgrade. This is because strong capitalisation can drive sustainable business for banks and provide much greater impetus to the economy.
“Therefore, we will encourage it because it is more sustainable and has much greater driving power for the economy,” Dian added.
Currently, there are only four KBMI IV banks in Indonesia. These include three state-owned bank conglomerates: PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BBRI), PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk. (BMRI), and PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BBNI), plus one private bank, PT Bank Central Asia Tbk. (BBCA).
Meanwhile, another state-owned bank, PT Bank Syariah Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BRIS), has expressed its intention to upgrade to KBMI IV. BSI’s President Director, Anggoro Eko Cahyo, said this is necessary to balance with other red-plate banks.
According to him, the target of becoming a bank in the core capital category above Rp70 trillion is not only BSI’s aspiration but also that of the shareholders. Anggoro said this planning is medium-term in nature.
“The shareholders also hope that after BSI becomes a persero now, the next step is to have a strong footprint, which naturally requires equal strength with the others. This is a medium-term plan, not short-term,” he explained.
Anggoro said they will begin preparations to become KBMI IV at least this year and next.
Another mid-tier red-plate bank, PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk. (BTN), said it is not rushing to upgrade to KBMI IV. BTN’s President Director, Nixon L.P. Napitupulu, stated that they are currently more focused on maintaining profitability, namely through return on equity (ROE) around 12%-14% this year.
On another occasion, mid-tier private bank PT Bank Permata Tbk. (BNLI) stated it is focusing on sustainable growth. Permata Bank’s Finance Director and Sharia Business Unit, Rudy Basyir Ahmad, said they welcome OJK’s desire for more KBMI IV banks.
“Of course, we receive that encouragement positively. And we know that moving from KBMI III to KBMI IV shows that the bank will be stronger on its own,” said Rudy during a public expose at Permata Bank Head Office on Thursday (12/3/2026).
He continued that Permata Bank will continue to implement sustainable growth. Thus, the bank’s capital will also grow sustainably, and hopefully, it can meet the KBMI IV requirements, namely core capital above Rp70 trillion.
Based on CNBC Indonesia’s records, there are currently four banks with core capital closest to Rp70 trillion. PT Bank Danamon Indonesia Tbk, PT Bank Permata Tbk, PT Bank Panin Tbk, and PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk are recorded to have core capital around Rp50 trillion.