Strategic Responses to Pressures in the Indonesian Banking Sector: A Comparative Study of BCA and BRI
Keywords:
Indonesian Banking Sector, Strategic Responses, Financial Performance, Comparative Case Study.Abstract
Indonesian banks faced shifting funding conditions, credit risk, digital competition, and increased regulatory demands between 2023 and 2025. The study examines sector pressures and evaluates the responses of PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) and PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk through various funding, lending, risk-management and digital strategies. A descriptive comparative case study design was employed, drawing on audited financial statements, annual reports, regulatory publications, and other credible secondary sources. Financial ratios were selected and then combined with PESTEL and SWOT analyses to interpret the external environment, strategic responses and financial outcomes of both banks. The results show that BCA followed a more stability-oriented approach supported by a higher CASA ratio, a lower Loan-to-Deposit Ratio, better asset quality and more stable profitability. BRI adopted a more expansionary strategy emphasizing MSME lending and financial inclusion. This approach supported greater lending activity and rising earnings per share, but it also resulted in higher liquidity pressure, higher credit exposure, weaker profitability margins, and a higher dividend payout ratio. The study concludes that banks operating in the same sector conditions could generate different financial results due to their strategic priorities. Effective responses to banking-sector pressure require a balance among growth, funding capacity, credit quality, profitability, and long-term financial flexibility.
Downloads
References
OJK Indonesia, “PRESS RELEASE REFLECTION 2024: INDONESIAN BANKING REMAINS SOLID AND OPTIMISTIC AMID GLOBAL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY,” Dec. 2024. Accessed: Jul. 20, 2026. [Online]. Available: ojk.go.id
R. Yudaruddin et al., “Liquidity and Credit Risk in Indonesia: The Role of FinTech Development,” Sage Open, vol. 14, no. 2, Apr. 2024, doi: 10.1177/21582440241245248.
F. Fakhrunnas, R. N. I. Nugrohowati, R. Haron, and M. B. H. Anto, “The Determinants of Non-Performing Loans in the Indonesian Banking Industry: An Asymmetric Approach Before and During the Pandemic Crisis,” Sage Open, vol. 12, no. 2, Apr. 2022, doi: 10.1177/21582440221102421.
R. Mulyana, L. Rusu, and E. Perjons, “Key ambidextrous IT governance mechanisms for successful digital transformation: A case study of Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI),” Digital Business, vol. 4, no. 2, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.digbus.2024.100083.
A. Abdurrahman, A. Gustomo, and E. A. Prasetio, “Impact of dynamic capabilities on digital transformation and innovation to improve banking performance: A TOE framework study,” Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.joitmc.2024.100215.
P. B. C. A. T. BCA, “Unity for a Better Future,” 2025. Accessed: Jul. 20, 2026. [Online]. Available: bca/co.id/en/tentang-bc/hubungan-investor/laporan-presentasi/laporan-tahunan
BRI Annual Report, “Empowering the People’s Economy: BRI Growing Stronger for a Resilient Nation,” 2025. Accessed: Jul. 20, 2026. [Online]. Available: ir-bri.com/ar.html
R. I. T. Linggadjaya, A. D. R. Atahau, G. S. S. Ugut, and K. S. Suk, “The Moderating Role of Capital Adequacy on Bank Specific Characteristics to Sustainable Growth: Evidence From Commercial Banks in Indonesia,” Sage Open, vol. 15, no. 3, Jan. 2025, doi: 10.1177/21582440251353042.
S. Sutrisno, A. Widarjono, and A. Hakim, “The Role of Green Credit in Bank Profitability and Stability: A Case Study on Green Banking in Indonesia,” Risks, vol. 12, no. 12, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.3390/risks12120198.
Y. Rashid, A. Rashid, M. A. Warraich, S. S. Sabir, and A. Waseem, “Case Study Method: A Step-by-Step Guide for Business Researchers,” Int. J. Qual. Methods, vol. 18, Jul. 2019, doi: 10.1177/1609406919862424.
P. Baxter and S. Jack, “Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and Implementation for Novice Researchers,” The Qualitative Report, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 544–559, Jan. 2015, doi: 10.46743/2160-3715/2008.1573.
S. Baškarada, “Qualitative Case Study Guidelines,” The Qualitative Report, Oct. 2014, doi: 10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1008.
G. A. Bowen, “Document analysis as a qualitative research method,” Qualitative Research Journal, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 27–40, 2009, doi: 10.3316/QRJ0902027.
H. I. Cheong, A. Lyons, R. Houghton, and A. Majumdar, “Secondary Qualitative Research Methodology Using Online Data within the Context of Social Sciences,” Int. J. Qual. Methods, vol. 22, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.1177/16094069231180160.
I. Yüksel, “Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model for PESTEL Analysis,” International Journal of Business and Management, vol. 7, no. 24, Nov. 2012, doi: 10.5539/ijbm.v7n24p52.
M. A. Benzaghta, A. Elwalda, M. Mousa, I. Erkan, and M. Rahman, “SWOT analysis applications: An integrative literature review,” Journal of Global Business Insights, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 55–73, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.5038/2640-6489.6.1.1148.
