Students Vulnerable to Financial Mismanagement, Fintech Industry Promotes Education

JAKARTA — University students are considered a group particularly vulnerable to errors in financial management, especially regarding the use of online lending services. Limited understanding of risks, interest rates, fees, and the consequences of late payments is said to impact long-term financial conditions. This situation has drawn attention from the financial technology (fintech) industry, including Kredit Pintar, which participated in an educational programme titled Pindar Mengajar: Cerdas Mengelola, Bijak Bertransaksi. The event took place on Wednesday (8/4/2026) at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau. The programme involved various stakeholders, from regulators and industry associations to educational institutions. Head of Brand & Communications at Kredit Pintar, Puji Sukaryadi, stated that financial education is crucial for students to build healthy financial habits from an early stage. “We see the importance of this educational programme for students, so that in the future, it is hoped to provide real benefits for students in building healthy financial habits from an early stage, enhancing understanding of wise financial management, and responsible use of Pindar services,” Puji said in an official statement on Friday (10/4/2026). In their remarks, stakeholders emphasised the importance of collaboration between regulators, associations, industry players, and educational institutions in building a healthy, transparent, and responsible digital financial ecosystem. Such collaboration is seen as key to addressing the rapid development of technology-based financial services. While these services open up broader financing access, they also carry risks if not balanced with adequate user understanding, particularly among the younger generation. “Understanding how to manage money is the first step towards a more peaceful life. With good literacy, students will not easily fall for misleading offers, can borrow according to their ability, and maintain their financial health,” said Revana. She also reminded of five important things to consider before taking a loan: borrowing according to needs, ensuring instalments match ability, understanding interest and fees, choosing platforms that are licensed and supervised by OJK, and paying on time. According to Revana, these steps form the foundation for students to utilise digital financial services wisely and responsibly.