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Rise of e-banking leads banks to prepare less cash for Idul Fitri
An increased use of electronic banking services has led state-owned lenders Bank Mandiri and Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) to prepare lesser amounts of cash ahead of Idul Fitri celebrations, compared to last year.
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A worker piles rupiah banknotes at a Bank Mandiri cash center in Jakarta. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)
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n increased use of electronic banking services has led state-owned lenders Bank Mandiri and Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) to prepare lesser amounts of cash ahead of Idul Fitri celebrations, compared to last year.
Demand for cash usually soars during the holy month of Ramadhan and Idul Fitri—which falls at the end of June—as people seek to return to their hometowns or travel elsewhere.
However, BRI president director Suprajarto said his bank would only prepare around Rp 23 trillion (US$1.72 billion) in cash for the period, lower than Rp 30 trillion prepared last year.
(Read also: BCA enables customers to withdraw cash at ATMs without card)
"With a big number of bank agents and electronic channels, we hope society will go more cashless," he said on the sidelines of an event at the Attorney General's Office on Wednesday.
"We have prepared all of our e-channel equipment."
Going cashless, he added, was also safer during the festivities and more convenient for customers.
Meanwhile, Bank Mandiri will prepare Rp 23.5 trillion in cash during the period, lower than Rp 25.4 trillion made available last year.
"The lower amount is due to an increase in non-cash transactions by customers," Bank Mandiri retail banking director Tardi said during a buka puasa (breaking of the fast) event on Tuesday.
The lender said it will ensure its 24-hour electronic banking services and 17,694 ATMs nationwide operate smoothly during the period. (tas)
