PT JCB International Indonesia, subsidiary of JCB International Co. Ltd. the international operations arm of JCB Co. Ltd., and PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (“BRI”), one of the Indonesia’s largest state owned commercial banks, with specialties in small medium enterprise or small scale & microfinance, are pleased to announce a new partnership for card payment business. This partnership starts from the acceptance of JCB cards at BRI’s acceptance locations, and payment card issuing with JCB brand is also in scope.
BRI is expanding its consumer business and celebrated the opening of its new branch in Singapore along with the signing ceremony with JCB on 21 August 2015, taking place in front of government official and business owners. Also in attendance were Mr. Asmawi Syam as President Director and Mr A. Toni Soetirto as Managing Director of Bank BRI, as well as Mr. Kimihisa Imada as Deputy President of JCB International Co. Ltd.
BRI owns a large card acceptance network with over 21,215 ATMs and more than 153,786 EDC terminals (merchants) spread all over Indonesia as of the end of June 2015, and plans to grow a minimum of 85,000 EDC each year. BRI also wants to grow its credit card issuing business a minimum of 25% for issuing model over the 841,000 cards from last year with their unique selling proposition.
The first phase of the partnership, enabling JCB cards, whose number exceeded 89 million, to be accepted at all of BRI’s 175,001 ATMs and EDC terminals. For ATM acceptance this phase has been in progress since early 2015, while for EDC acceptance, it expected to be launched by the end of this year, followed by phase 2, JCB credit card issuing, which is now being discussed and targeted for 2016.
Managing Director BRI, A. Toni Soetirto said, “We believe that this partnership would bring a wider network of card acceptance in all of ATMs and EDCs network of Bank BRI throughout Indonesia.”
Deputy President of JCB International, Kimihisa Imada said, “We are pleased that BRI, as one of the largest commercial banks in Indonesia in term of networks and coverage, has become our partner. This partnership will considerably improve convenience of JCB card usage across Indonesia by adding more than 153,786 acceptance locations. BRI’s broad nationwide network can fulfill the need of local JCB card members who reside in Indonesia as well as those who travel from outside Indonesia, especially in the travel spots and tourist destinations. I am looking forward to extending this partnership to issuing JCB card, whose strength is the quality of service based on the expertise we have gained from experiences providing to customers in Japan for over 50 years. I am sure that the new card product with both reputable brand names will bring new value to the market.”
About JCB
JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 29 million merchants and over a million cash advance locations in 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 19 countries and territories, with more than 89 million card members. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 350 leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and card member base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide.
Note: JCB statistics included in About JCB are as of the end of March 2015. For more information, visit: www.jcbcorporate.com/english
About Bank Rakyat Indonesia
Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Bank BRI) was established on December 16, 1895, which marks BRI’s anniversary ever since. Since August 1, 1992, under the Banking Law No. 7 year 1992 and Regulation of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia No. 21 year 1992, Bank BRI’s status has changed into a limited liabilities company. At that time, Bank BRI’s ownership was still in the hand of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia for 100%. In 2003, the Indonesian Government decided to sell 30% of the bank’s shares, marking BRI a public company under the official name of PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk., which is still used until now.
Bank BRI is one of Indonesia’s state owned bank with a consistent focus on SMEs business. With more than 10,551 offices including mobile services (e-BUZZ, Teras Keliling and the newly launched Teras Kapal), supported by over 21,215 ATMs and more than 153,786 EDCs (merchant and BRILink), Bank BRI is the largest Bank with the widest network in Indonesia.
In order to constantly provide the best services to customers and to be the frontrunner in creating financial inclusion by focusing on supporting SMEs business reach all over Indonesia, on 28th April of 2014, Bank BRI signed a contract to purchase and launch a fully owned satellite called BRIsat. Targeted to orbit on 2016, the purchase of BRIsat has made Bank BRI the first and only Bank in the world to own and operate its own satellite.