Super Branch, BPR Lestari's New Strategy in 2021

BPR Lestari started its journey in the banking business in late 1999. "November 1999 was the time  when BI (Central Bank of the Republic of Indonesia) issued approval letter for the acquisition of BPR Sri Artha Lestari," said Alex P Chandra, Founder and CEO of PT. Lestari Capital, the holding company in charge of 7 BPR Lestari Group, during a zoom press conference with the media crew.

At that time, the strategies of all banks were almost the same, namely branch banking. To grow, a bank will have more offices as a channel in order to make it easier for its customers to transact. The more offices, the closer the bank is to the “market”, the easier it will be for customers to make transactions.

The branch banking strategy is also carried out by BPR Lestari Bali. BPR Lestari Bali has 15 offices spread across strategic areas in Denpasar and Badung. “We spread offices in strategic business areas so that it is easy for customers to come to the office to do banking transactions. Some offices are not very big but still comfortable and easy to access. " said Pribadi Budiono, CEO of BPR Lestari Bali, who also attended the press conference.

The landscape has now changed significantly. The strategy of branch banking is starting to become irrelevant. The office's function as a place for transactions has begun to be replaced by “electronic channels” such as ATMs and Mobile Banking. "We have been preparing for it since several years ago, but it will be more massive at the beginning of this year. Consumer 'digital' behavior will be more accelerated after the pandemic,” said Pribadi.

Branch banking strategy will be repositioned. "The office is no longer a place for transactions. Transactions are carried out via smartphones and laptop. So that our many small offices will be closed and replaced by several large branch offices. We call it 'Super Branch', its function is no longer as a place for transactions. Super branches turn the office into a customer engagement center. The place or center of the bank to interact with its customers. "

"Super branches still serve transactions, but the focus is on 'engagement' with customers," said Pribadi.

After previously inaugurating the Renon and Gatot Subroto Branch Offices, in the near future BPR Lestari Bali will inaugurate the Sanur Branch Office. "The Sanur Branch Office which is located at By Pass Sanur is the Super Branch which we will inaugurate in the near future." added Pribadi. 

Apart from repositioning the branch banking, BPR Lestari Bali is also boosting digital innovation. Transfers to and from BPR Lestari as well as to other banks are mostly automated and is done in real time. "Now, almost 80% of customer transactions have used electronic channels. Lestari Mobile has been used by 15 thousand of our customers or more than 50% of the total. BPR Lestari's electronic or digital channel now serves 35 thousand transactions a month. " said Alex.

"Not bad for a market bank," said Alex, smiling. "And we believe this will accelerate even more. Next year there should be 100,000 transactions a month."

Apart from transfers, customers can now also place deposits via Lestari Mobile in real time. "We call it DepositoGo. The placement can be done at any time, including on holidays. We are also preparing to add the “online account opening” feature. We are just waiting for OJK's (Financial Services Authority) approval, I hope we can launch it early in 2021," concluded Alex.