SURABAYA - Corporate sector (wholesale) remains a major focus of Bank Andara in lending. However, bank whose shareholder is dominated by NGO (non-governmental organization) is also committed to developing lower segment of the economic. Therefore, Bank Andara using MFI (Micro Finance Institution) serve as an extension.

“We embrace MFIs such as rural banks (BPR) and cooperatives," says Business Development Director Bank Andara Don Johnston on the sidelines of the BPR staff training in Surabaya yesterday (6/7).

Bank Andara boost lending to MFIs in Java and Bali up to 100 percent or Rp 270 billion compared with the current position of Rp 130 billion. Don stated there are still 30-50 million people in Indonesia who have not been able to access the bank directly, moreover, bank acquisitions of Bank Sri Partha embrace rural banks (BPR) as many as possible who have been working on the micro business sector in the region. "In one year operation, 250 MFIs in Jakarta, West Java and Bali, have partnered with Bank Andara. Most of them are rural banks (BPR)," he said.

Target of Bank Andara for this year is embracing 400 MFIs. One way to improve partner rural banks and cooperatives are expanding into the East Java. According to him, the projection is realistic enough. Since, based on surveys, the numbers of rural banks in East Java are 363 and all of them are relatively healthy and very good ratings. "We are pointing the value of sales of at least Rp 100 million in deposits and loans in excess of Rp 500 million,” he added.

 

(Quoted from Jawa Pos, Wednesday 7 July 2010)