Indonesia

A slowdown in exports and a new lending rules will hobble lending growth by Indonesia's commercial banks in the second half of the year.

Bank Mandiri will continue to make innovations in business development to become one of Southeast Asia's major banks.

Bank Jatim's lending in the first half has reached 94 percent of its full-year target touching Rp 18 trillion or US$1.9 billion, up 12 percent from last year.

PT Bank Central Asia expects lower consumer lending due to the implementation of minimum down payments.

Bank Mutiara's net profits fell 57 percent to Rp 86 billion or US$9 million in the first semester.

Bank Mandiri will focus on increasing its share of low-cost third-party funds such as savings and current accounts to 70 percent.

Bank Mandiri may open branches in three neighboring countries as part of its plan to become a top lender in Southeast Asia.

Bank Indonesia wants banks to improve access to banking by introducing the so-called branchless banking.

Investors wanting to own 40  to 90 percent of Indonesian banks should be healthy, should be listed and agrees to buy debt certificates that can be converted into equity.

Indonesia, Australia and South Korea will now cooperate in exchanging informartion on banking supervision.

Bank Jatim expects to raise up to Rp 1.9 trillion or US$212 million from an IPO to be launched in July.

Reliance Commercial Finance will increase focus on SMEs to achieve its target credit growth rate of 15-16 percent this fiscal.

"As the Indonesian market continues to grow in stature and global presence, those who innovate will emerge at the top of the pile," says JP Morgan's new head of treasury services.

CIMB plans to be listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, though currently it is only listed on Bursa Malaysia.

Bank Jabar plans to buy a majority stake in 51 rural banks this year to tap the potential of small and micro businesses.

Indonesia is planning to introduce more monetary measures to ease volatility.