Indonesia’s banking sector is experiencing increased consolidation activity, with ProSpace Indonesia’s Banking Industry Analysis identifying seven significant mergers and acquisitions completed or announced in the past 18 months. The trend is reshaping the competitive landscape and strengthening overall financial system resilience.
The transactions represent combined asset values of approximately $42 billion and have reduced the number of commercial banks operating in Indonesia from 107 in 2022 to 98 currently. Regulatory encouragement, digital transformation pressures, and efficiency requirements drive the consolidation trend.
“We’re witnessing a natural evolution toward a more concentrated banking system with stronger, better-capitalized institutions,” notes Dr. Hendra Wijaya, Financial Sector Analyst at ProSpace. “The resulting entities are better positioned to make the substantial technology investments required in today’s market.”
Mid-sized banks face particular competitive pressures, caught between large institutions with scale advantages and agile digital challengers. This segment shows the highest propensity for participation in merger activities.
Foreign investors continue to demonstrate strong interest in the Indonesian banking sector, participating in three of the recent transactions. Meanwhile, domestic financial groups are actively acquiring specialized institutions to create comprehensive financial service ecosystems.
The consolidation trend has positive implications for financial stability, with the average capital adequacy ratio improving to 25.7% among the largest 15 banks. However, consumer advocates express concerns about potential impacts on competition and service access in certain segments.
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