Jakarta – In the midst of a global economic slowdown, banking Indonesia shows that performance can be said to be good although still not efficient.

It can be seen from the banks are increasingly able to absorb the risk of instability and still run their intermediation function. One good measure of banking performance is the high capital adequacy ratio (capital adequacy ratio / CAR), which until October 2011 of 17.2%.

This is supported by the low ratio of problem loans (non-performing loans / NPL) in the gross level of 2.7% pa in October 2011 while the bank intermediary function indicated by lending grew 25.7% in October 2011 year on year (yoy).

However, BI concern is the low ratio of credit to GDP, which is only 29%. ”While in Malaysia the ratio of credit to GDP to 114%, 116% Thailand and China 140%,” said the Governor of Bank Indonesia Nasution. With the high ratio of credit to GDP is bank credit was entered into various economic sectors including finance small entrepreneurs.

Well, the main difference of lending in 2011 over the previous year is, the dominance of credit this year donated by the productive sector namely, working capital loans and investment loans. This is to be grateful for the change that occurs when bank credit is more encouraging to Indonesia’s economic growth is expected to grow 6.5% this year.

The growth of working capital loans as of October 2011 was by 24.7% and investment loans grow even higher, namely 31.1%. Meanwhile, the growth of consumer credit under both components of the productive credit, which is only 23.8% as of October 2011. ”This shows the role of banks in encouraging productive enterprises,” said Director of PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk, Billy M Suwondo.

Although credit is high, but the interest charged is felt still high. Therefore, Bank Indonesia so far this year lowered its benchmark rate (BI Rate) by 75 bps to 6%.

Reduction in the BI Rate based on one of low inflation this year is estimated to be below 4%.

For next year, the BI Rate expected to be maintained at a level of 6%. However, there remains room for BI rate to fall. ”Depending on the economic situation that occurred. If inflation decreases and prices go down then it will give room to lower interest rates,” said Lead Economist for the World Bank in Indonesia, Shubham Chaudhuri.

While in view of the ratio between loans and deposits (loan to deposit ratio / LDR), a national banking again show has run its intermediary function properly. As of October 2011, LDR national banks reached 81.4%.

Even so, there are still some large banks that LDR him under the provisions of LRD-reserve requirement Bank Indonesia which requires loan to deposit ratio at the limit of 78-100%. If there are banks that do not meet the LDR restrictions, they must be prepared to pay a monetary penalty prescribed authority.

National banks can also create a high enough profit. This is if you see any return on assets (ROA) banking record 3.1% as of October 2011. ROA for it is the highest compared to the existing banks in the ASEAN region. Therefore, no wonder many foreign investors are competing to go to Indonesia to buy a national bank or banks will create new here.

But the performance of the national banking system, judging from the national banking efficiency it does not show his class. Imagine, the ratio of operating expenses to operating income reached 86.4%’s National banks.

When compared with countries in the Asean region, BOPO banking in the region are between 40-60%. Meanwhile, net income margin (net interest margin / NIM) to reach 6% by October 2011.

Monetary Authority issued a policy to encourage the role of banking intermediation. The policy is a policy of transparency of credit base rate information (SBDK) and financial inclusion programs. Intermediation is expected to be more open more transparent access to small communities to financial services.