Third-Party Funds Predicted to Grow, but Public's Saving Capacity Weakens

In the midst of purchasing power pressures that have yet to fully recover, household third-party funds (DPK) are showing signs of recovery. Public deposits in banking continue to grow, supported by increases in income, seasonal factors, and the tendency of households to bolster reserve funds amid global economic uncertainties. However, behind the DPK growth, several indicators also show caution. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) views the recovery of household DPK as influenced by several factors, particularly the improvement in economic activity in both formal and informal sectors that support public income. OJK’s Executive Head of Banking Supervision, Dian Ediana Rae, stated that seasonal factors such as year-end bonuses, Holiday Allowance (THR), and government spending realisations also increase liquidity among the public and drive deposit growth. “The ongoing global uncertainties also encourage the public’s preference to hold back on consumption and place funds in banking instruments as a form of caution (precautionary saving),” said Dian in a written statement, quoted on Wednesday (29/4/2026). Amid global uncertainties, this pattern also supports DPK, although it does not necessarily reflect strong public consumption. According to Dian, DPK growth ideally should also go hand in hand with credit growth and retail transaction activity. Thus, deposit growth not only reflects fund accumulation but also mirrors sustainable purchasing power recovery. The prospects for banking fund mobilisation throughout 2026 remain positive, although the pace is expected to slow compared to the previous year. Bank Indonesia’s March 2026 Banking Survey indicates that cumulatively up to the second quarter of 2026, DPK mobilisation is projected to increase.