BRI Mantri Expands Banking Access to Remote Villages in Toraja Utara, Indonesia

Elce Putri Bontong, a Mantri for BRI Unit Bolu, travels more than 35 km through mountainous terrain to reach the isolated Desa Karre Pananian in the Nanggala district of Toraja Utara, Sulawesi Selatan. Since joining BRI in 2013 as a teller and becoming a Mantri in 2020, she provides loans and savings accounts to local farmers and livestock owners, and educates residents on the benefits of formal banking.

To further ease transactions, Elce has established a BRILink agent in the village, allowing families—many of whom work outside the region—to send and receive money without relying on intermediaries. Her efforts aim to improve financial inclusion and support economic development in the 3T (Tertinggal, Terdepan, Terluar) area.