BI launches domestic credit card for public retail use

Bank Indonesia (BI) officially introduced a domestic credit card for widespread retail use on Independence Day, following several years of preparation. During the central bank's monthly two-day Board of Governors meeting, BI deputy governor Filianingsih Hendarta announced the credit card's creation during a press conference. Her primary objective was to provide an alternative for deferred payment.

The system had been operational since April 2023, but it had primarily been used for government transactions. On Monday, the retail launch commenced.

Seven prominent banks, known as "first movers," collaborated in this endeavor: BCA, Bank Mandiri, BNI, BRI, CIMB Niaga, Permata Bank, and Bank Mega. BI would concentrate on developing a sharia version of the card. Hendarta stated that additional "second movers" had expressed their interest in participating, and all banks and payment service providers could potentially offer the cards, provided they met the necessary criteria.

The credit card would be compatible with the Quick Response Indonesia Standard (QRIS), a unified QR payment network extensively utilized in the country and linked with all payment systems. Upon full implementation, customers would be able to scan the merchant's QR code for payment and select whether to use their bank account balance, electronic money, or the credit card for the transaction.