ANZ targets top spot in Indonesian lending business by 2015

ANZ Indonesia will focus on lending to exporters as it aims to be Indonesia’s leading lender to commercial businesses within three years.

Saud Minam, the head of commercial banking at ANZ Indonesia, said there was substantial demand for loans by the commercial segment, which includes companies not big enough to be included among institutions but too big to be included among small- to medium-sized businesses. These are companies with an annual revenue of between $2 million and $150 million.

The lender aims to grow its revenue by 65 percent annually in the next three years, Saud said.

Revenue for the Asia-Pacific commercial business in the six months to March rose 59 percent from the same period last year.

“This business is driving the economy of Indonesia. This segment drives the wealth,” Saud said.

Within the sector, ANZ is particularly targeting those companies engaged in international trade and manufacturing.

Saud added that Bank Indonesia’s new policy requiring revenues from Indonesia’s export trade to be returned to the country was favorable for ANZ Indonesia’s target customers.

“I’m all for it. It is good for the bank, as well as the country,” he said, adding that the bank can make money when companies exchange their dollar revenue into rupiah, while the country will benefit through an increase in foreign reserves. He said ANZ Indonesia had created a one-stop electronic service for exporters.

The bank is eager to win business in segments including fast-moving consumer goods, oil and gas contractors, mining contractors and distribution.

For more.