Perbarindo calls for more flexible rules for BPR and BPRS banks

Indonesia’s banking association Perbarindo urged greater regulatory flexibility for BPR and BPRS banks as it held its 12th national congress and a seminar in Jakarta on 19 October 2026. Chairman Tedy Alamsyah said the industry needed stronger governance and digital transformation, alongside rules suited to its role in financing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Tedy, who chairs the association for the 2022–2026 term, asked the Financial Services Authority, OJK, to consider easing some regulations. He argued that different types of banks have different needs and that rules should reflect the characteristics of the small businesses served by BPR and sharia BPRS banks.

He cited owner-managed operations, the mixing of household and business finances, and borrowers’ vulnerability to economic disruptions as challenges facing micro and small enterprises. He also called for the industry and regulators to align their plans with those businesses’ financial needs.

Tedy reported growth across several industry measures through July 2026:

• Assets rose 4.25 per cent year on year at BPR banks and 12 per cent at BPRS banks.
• Credit and financing increased 3.12 per cent for BPR banks and 6.23 per cent for BPRS banks.
• Savings grew 4.21 per cent at BPR banks and 10.27 per cent at BPRS banks.
• Time deposits increased 2.14 per cent for BPR banks and 4.5 per cent for BPRS banks.

The gathering drew 498 participants from Perbarindo’s supervisory and management bodies across Indonesia. Its agenda includes reviewing the association’s statutes, setting its general programme, evaluating the central board’s accountability report and selecting leadership for 2026–2030.