PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) booked strong financial performance in the first quarter of 2025, with loan disbursements growing by 10.1 percent year-on-year (yoy) to Rp765.47 trillion (US$45.5 billion) and third-party funds increasing by 5 percent yoy to Rp819.6 trillion.

The state-owned lender posted a net profit of Rp5.4 trillion during the January-March period, driven by healthy loan growth, improved asset quality, and a higher share of low-cost funds (CASA).

BNI's Director of Finance and Strategy, Hussein Paolo Kartadjoemena, said the performance reflected BNI's ability to balance growth and risk management amid ongoing global uncertainties.

"Our Q1-2025 financial results demonstrate healthy credit growth, successful digital transformation, and prudent business expansion," Paolo said in a statement on Monday, April 28, 2025.

BNI's corporate loan segment rose by 16 percent yoy to Rp433.4 trillion (US$27.9 billion) making up 56.6 percent of total lending. Within this segment, private sector and institutional financing grew 17 percent to Rp317.1 trillion (US$20.45 billion) while loans to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) climbed 13.3 percent to Rp116.3 trillion.

The consumer segment followed with a 13 percent yoy increase to Rp144.9 trillion (US$9.35 billion) supported by a 13.7 percent rise in personal loans and a 12.5 percent gain in mortgages. Meanwhile, commercial and small-business lending grew by 2.6 percent and 6.1 percent yoy, respectively.

The bank maintained a strong asset quality, with its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio stable at 2 percent and its loan-at-risk ratio improving to 10.9 percent from 13.3 percent a year earlier. Consequently, BNI's credit cost was reduced to 0.9 percent from 1 percent.

On the funding side, BNI's CASA ratio rose to 70.5 percent, supported by a 6.3 percent increase in low-cost deposits. Savings deposits grew by 10.2 percent yoy to Rp257.8 trillion, while current accounts increased by 3.4 percent yoy to Rp320 trillion (US$20.65 billion).

Paolo highlighted the bank’s digital initiatives, including the launch of wondr by BNI and BNIdirect, as key drivers for the improvement in transactional CASA.

"The successful digitalization strategy has significantly contributed to the rise in CASA, achieving the highest ratio over the past four quarters," he said.

Overall, BNI's net interest income (NII) grew 4.7 percent yoy to Rp9.8 trillion, while operating income rose 2.8 percent to Rp15.25 trillion (US$983 million).

The bank said it remains committed to pursuing quality growth and strengthening its digital capabilities to sustain its competitive advantage throughout 2025.