PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk (BNI) has allocated a capital expenditure (capex) of Rp 1.9 trillion (US$117 million) for information technology (IT) enhancement this year aimed at bolstering digital security, particularly for customer data.
“There is indeed an increase in the IT budget, especially as BNI is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly in the technology sector,” BNI’s Director of Technology and Operations, Toto Prasetio, said in Jakarta on Friday, July 5, 2024.
Toto cited that the allocated budget will be used for the development of IT and digitalization, including the enhancement of hardware and software capacities. Moreover, the IT capex will also support the transformation and transaction features to meet customer needs.
He emphasized that security remains a top priority as it is a fundamental aspect of the bank’s operations.
“Approximately 10 to 15 percent of the capex is allocated for security enhancements,” he said.
BNI is currently preparing a wholesale digital banking platform portal. This portal will integrate various channels in the wholesale segment, such as cash management, trade finance, supply chain, forex, and more. The bank is also updating its underwriting and loan management systems.
BNI recorded a net profit of Rp8.56 trillion in the first five months of this year, a slight increase of 1.2 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
Meanwhile, the bank’s third-party funds (DPK) grew at a slower annual rate of 7.2 percent year-on-year, reaching Rp788.45 trillion. As of April 2024, BNI’s DPK grew by 11.5 percent, but saw a monthly decline of 3.8 percent due to a 2.9 percent drop in low-cost funds and a 5.9 percent decrease in deposits.
