BRANCHLESS BANKING : KEUANNGAN INKLUSIF, PROFITABILITAS DAN MODEL BISNIS BERKELANJUTAN

Abstract

Branchless banking has become a strategic innovation in expanding access to financial services, particularly in developing countries like Indonesia, which face limitations in traditional banking infrastructure. This study aims to analyze the role of branchless banking in increasing financial inclusion, assess its impact on bank profitability, and evaluate how the adopted business model can be sustainable in the long term. The study found that branchless banking or Laku Pandai, is able to improve financial inclusion: expanding service reach through agents to unbanked and underbanked groups, reducing bank operational costs, and creating new revenue opportunities through efficiency and transaction volume, thus increasing bank profitability. However, the sustainability of this business model is heavily influenced by regulatory factors, technological readiness, public financial literacy, the effectiveness of partnerships with agents, and risk governance. This study emphasizes the importance of adaptive business model design, strengthening digital security, and service innovation so that branchless banking can provide sustainable economic and social value.