Jakarta (Republika: (20/09/07) In cooperation with the Sampoerna Foundation, Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) launches its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. The cooperation was inked in an agreement signed at the BTN headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday.

BTN directors Siswanto and Fatchudin represented the bank, while Sampoerna Foundation was represented by its Chief Operating Officer, Elan Merdy. Siswanto explained that through this CSR program, BTN provides scholarships totaling Rp 500 million for 500 senior high school students with outstanding academic achievement. They are children of BTN housing credit KPR debtors. BTN provides the funds for the scholarships which will be managed by Sampoerna Foundation.

“Sampoerna is involved in channeling the scholarships due to our limited network and system. Therefore, we need to work with an institution having an experience,'' he said. He explained that the BTN Bank has been running social programs for the community and the environment before everybody is talking about CSR. Social community program is included in BTN’s fifth mission.