PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI has officially entered its 79th year. In its journey of nearly eight decades, BNI is not only known as the first government-owned bank after independence, but also as a financial institution that consistently innovates and assists national economic development.
Established on July 5, 1946 by national figure R.M. Margono Djojohadikoesoemo, BNI is a symbol of Indonesia's economic sovereignty. Not only collecting and channeling funds, BNI even plays a strategic role in the nation's financial history by issuing Oeang Republik Indonesia (ORI) as the country's first official means of payment.
“BNI is present not only as a financial institution, but also as a witness to the struggle of millions of people in achieving their dreams through hard work and courage to face the challenges of the times,” said BNI Consumer Banking Director Corina Leyla Karnalies in a written statement.
Over time, BNI continued to strengthen its role in the national financial system. In 1955, its status changed to a commercial bank and earned the right as a foreign exchange bank.
Institutional transformation continued in 1992, when BNI changed its legal status to a Limited Liability Company (PT) as mandated by the Banking Law. Another important milestone occurred in 1996 when BNI became the first state-owned bank to list on the capital market through an IPO on the Jakarta and Surabaya Stock Exchanges, strengthening the principles of transparency and accountability in the banking sector.
With the slogan ‘Serving the Country, Pride of the Nation’, BNI is committed to continuing to provide the best service and contribute to Indonesia's economic progress. “We are committed to serving with integrity, relevance and innovation in order to realize an inclusive and competitive economy,” added Corina.
In recent years, BNI has also continued to strengthen its digital capabilities. One of the strategic initiatives being developed is the wondr by BNI platform, which is designed to answer the needs of digital financial services inclusively, from the city center to remote areas of the country. This platform is part of BNI's strategy to reach more segments of society with fast, efficient and secure services.
As part of the 79th anniversary celebration, BNI presents an appreciation program entitled ‘Rejeki wondr BNI’, a national lucky draw aims at loyal customers. Through this program, BNI wants to strengthen emotional closeness with the community and show appreciation for the loyalty that has been built over the years.
"Through Rejeki wondr BNI, we want to share happiness and express our gratitude for customer loyalty. This is a tangible manifestation of the long-term relationship that we want to continue to build," said Corina.
BNI hopes that this anniversary moment will not only be a celebration event, but also a starting point to further strengthen relationships with the community and continue to be present in every step of their lives. With the spirit of ‘Accompanying Your Every Step’, BNI is determined to continue its contribution in encouraging financial inclusion and strengthening national economic resilience.