Analyzing the Impact of Financial Services Authority (OJK) Regulations in Supporting Economy Recovery During Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Indonesia

Abstract

COVID-19 has disrupted economic growth and business conditions globally including in Indonesia. One of the most obvious impacts is in the banking sector as many bank debtors have lost their livelihoods. This situation affects the quality of bank assets and profitability. An increase of non-performing loans experienced by some national banks has decreased the capability to generate optimal profit from bank operations that normally would keep the banks healthy, liquid, solvent, and in a profitable state. To strengthen the stability of Indonesian financial services and support the national economic recovery effort, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) issued several regulations on macroprudential policy relaxation and stimulus provision. The regulations ensure that banks are capable to control the bad credit of the debtors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the impact of Financial Service Authority Regulations on the quality of banking credit in supporting the Indonesian economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a qualitative study using a critical thinking analysis method to prove the assumption of Keynesian economic theory, which state that in a recession expansionary fiscal policy can stimulate economic activity. The results of this study indicate that the Financial Services Authority regulations have shown an impact in supporting the Indonesian economy recovery efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be seen through the stability of the financial system. Further empirical and quantitative studies are needed to confirm the study findings.