The Fate of Bank Shares in 2026: Still Worth Collecting?
The Fate of Bank Shares in 2026: Still Worth Collecting?
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Bank shares have been sluggish since last year, but this year could tell a different story, especially with their promising dividend prospects. What are the prospects, and which bank shares are attractive?
Entering the second quarter of this year, the financial sector, including banks, is likely to perform strongly, in line with expectations of dividends and improving financial performance.
The optimism is not unfounded. After undergoing consolidation in 2025, major banks (KBMI 4) are beginning to show their claws again.
Investors’ main focus is currently on the highly competitive Dividend Yield and the release of monthly reports (January-February) that confirm their profit engines are still running hot.
Even though the rupiah has fluctuated around Rp17,000/US$, digital efficiencies and strong management of low-cost funds (CASA) have proven to be a solid buffer for the national banking sector.
We have compiled data from several major banks that have started releasing financial reports up to February 2026, while others are up to January 2026. Here are the details:
Bank Mandiri (BMRI) leads the narrative with a 16.70% (YoY) surge in individual net profit to Rp8.90 trillion up to February 2026, proving that digital efficiencies through Livin’ and Kopra are highly effective in curbing costs.
Meanwhile, Bank BRI (BBRI) recorded an impressive rebound with 17.04% (YoY) profit growth to Rp7.73 trillion, driven by improvements in asset quality and a significant reduction in provision expenses.
Bank BCA (BBCA), on the other hand, opted for a conservative approach with 2.81% (YoY) profit growth to Rp9.22 trillion to maintain liquidity defences and low-cost funds (CASA) amid rupiah weakening against the US dollar.
Bank BNI (BBNI) also remains solid with 19.26% corporate credit growth, although net profit in January grew moderately at 3.45%.
Mid-tier players like CIMB Niaga (BNGA) and OCBC NISP (NISP) are adding sweetness to the competitive landscape with profit growth in the 5-6% range, supported by post-acquisition integration and increasingly mature operational efficiencies.
Dividend Party and 2026 AGM Schedule
Entering late March to April, the main attraction shifts to the “party” of profit distribution for the 2025 fiscal year. BBCA has set a high standard with a total dividend of Rp336 per share, with the cum date exactly on 27 March 2026.
BNI (BBNI) has already passed its cum date yesterday, Wednesday (25/3/2026), with a final dividend of around Rp349 per share, so investor focus now shifts to the fund disbursement date.
Market attention is now fully on BMRI and BBRI, which will soon hold their AGMs. With very solid profit growth, Mandiri is predicted to distribute a final dividend in the range of Rp320 - Rp350 per share, while BRI, known as the “Dividend King”, is estimated to maintain a high payout ratio with a final dividend estimate reaching Rp300 - Rp315 per share.
For second-tier banks, CIMB Niaga (BNGA) and OCBC NISP (NISP) are worth watching due to their potential yields that often surprise long-term shareholders, especially after recording increasingly solid asset performance throughout last year.