SURYA.CO.ID - PT Bank Neo Commerce Tbk (BNC) held a financial literacy activity in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) of Trunojoyo University, Madura (UTM).

The financial literacy activity, which targeted students as representatives of the younger generation, was conducted both in-person and online.

Head of Public Relations & Communications PT Bank Neo Commerce Tbk or BNC, Puji Agung Budiman, said that this was the first time BNC was present in Madura to share financial literacy. 

“The current digital era has made it incredibly easy for us to conduct daily transactions and manage our finances. However, like two sides of a coin, there are also negative aspects that have emerged from this digital era,” said Puji in a press release on Thursday (30/10/2025). 

These negative aspects include the phenomenon of illegal online loans, irresponsible use of paylater, and the unavoidable rise of online gambling in society. 

“But of course, we can mitigate these,” said Puji. 

According to data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) in 2023, approximately 78 percent of online loan users have an income of between 1 and 5 million rupiah. According to the latest survey in 2025, APJII recorded that 45.15 percent of millennials admitted to using online loans, higher than the 41.44 percent of Gen Z. 

Meanwhile, Generation X came in third with 11.75 percent, followed by Baby Boomers at just 1.65 percent. 

This fact indicates that online loan debts is not just an individual issue, but a widespread phenomenon in Indonesian society, especially among the younger generation and adults. 

Head of Fraud Operations PT Bank Neo Commerce Tbk, Vicky Valentino Frickel, stated in a talk show that BNC, as a financial services company, has always played an active role in supporting government programs to improve financial literacy among the Indonesian public. 

“BNC places great attention on financial education, especially for the younger generation, because we believe that financial literacy, especially in today’s digital era, is the foundation of financial independence for the younger generation,” added Vicky. 

Younger generations, including students, are the most active group in digital transactions, so it’s crucial for them to understand the risks and implement wise financial management practices. 

As a student representative, Laurentin Carolin Tiara, known as Laurent, said that the phenomenon of online loans does indeed occur among students. One of Laurent’s friends applied for a loan because he was desperate and had run out of money.

“But another friend of mine applied for a loan and ended up in debt, and after further investigation, it turned out to be a rather hedonistic lifestyle. The loan, after further investigation, also turned out to be an illegal online loan, so this kind of financial knowledge is crucial for students,” Laurent explained. 

Since transforming into a bank with digital services, BNC has consistently collaborated with various corporate partners, brands, and communities annually to organize financial literacy activities. 

Vicky added that BNC always strives to support government programs to improve the level of inclusion and literacy among Indonesians. 

“This noble goal would not have been achieved without the support of various parties through excellent collaboration,” added Vicky. 

BNC held this financial literacy activity with the Faculty of Economics and Business, Trunojoyo University, Madura, to support ‘Gerakan Nasional Cerdas Keuangan (GENCARKAN) 2025’ (in translation: ‘the 2025 National Financial Intelligence Movement’) program, as well as Bank Neo Commerce’s participation in the Financial Inclusion Month series of events initiated by the Financial Services Authority (OJK).

“We hope that in addition to offering comprehensive financial services to customers and the wider Indonesian public, BNC will also be able to continue its commitment to providing financial education to the wider public, of course through various collaborations with other parties, such as this extraordinary support from UTM,” explained Vicky. 

Meanwhile, a representative from UTM, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UTM), Dr. A. Yahya Surya Winata, Dr. A. Yahya Surya Winata, SE., MSi., stated in his remarks that, as a academics, he hopes  that through events like this, practitioners can share their knowledge and insights related to the industry with students. 

“This aims to complement students’ learning, not only by learning existing theories but also by gaining firsthand experience from practitioners in their respective industries. On behalf of FEB UTM, we greatly appreciate BNC’s presence to share financial literacy with our students. We hope this event can be a starting point for further collaborations in the future,” Yahya concluded. 

Article sources:
https://surabaya.tribunnews.com/news/1919948/gandeng-utm-bank-neo-commerce-ajak-mahasiswa-waspada-penipuan-digital?page=2