Indonesia's ATM networks to be integrated by 2012

The integration of three ATM providers into a combined system should be completed by the end of 2012, a central bank official has said.

According to a Jakarta Globe report, the integration of Artajasa Pembayaran Elektronis, Rintis Sejahtera and Daya Network Lestari is expected to make it cheaper for Indonesia’s 120 commercial banks to invest in and operate ATM networks. A unified system would also help to generate fee-based income from each interbank transaction.

Bank Indonesia deputy governor Ardhayadi Mitroatmodjo said the three ATM providers would integrate to “allow all banks to get connected so interbank transactions can be done in real time.”

On Oct. 11, Bank Mandiri and Bank Central Asia, two of the country’s biggest lenders, signed an agreement allowing their customers to access each other’s ATM networks. That agreement was seen as a major breakthrough for the country’s banking system.

Kresno Sediarsi, managing director for technology and operation at Bank Mandiri, could not say for certain when the bigger integration would be completed but that it might take until 2013.

“So far, big banks have agreed with the plan, but we have not heard a response from small lenders,” he said in Bali.

He suggested that big bank groups like the Indonesian Banking Association (Perbanas), which is backed by 78 members including commercial and regional development banks, lead the charge on integration.