<![CDATA[Objectives: This study analyzes customer migration patterns among five major banks (BCA, BNI, BRI, BSI, and Bank Mandiri) in Batam’s strategic maritime economic zone using a Markov Chain model to assess long-term market dynamics and financial inclusion implications. The research aims to quantify interbank transition probabilities, to identify key switching drivers, and to develop targeted policy recommendations. Methods: Using a quantitative descriptive-analytical approach, we collected structured questionnaires from 250 Batam Institute of Technology academic members, capturing historical bank transitions and 5-point Likert-scale evaluations of eight switching factors. These factors included ATM/branch proximity, administrative fees, mobile/internet banking service, salary/ scholarship payment linkages, promotions/rewards, interest rates, family/friend recommendations, and Sharia compliance. Data were analyzed via Markov Chain modeling to project steady-state distributions. Results: The transition matrix revealed BCA’s superior retention (85.1%) compared to peers, with steady-state projections showing market dominance (32.44%), followed by Bank Mandiri (26.51%) and BSI (26.39%). Salary linkages (mean score: 3.45) and ATM accessibility (3.16) emerged as primary retention drivers, while BCA’s digital services (3.40) and low fee perception (3.67) explained its competitive edge. Paradoxically, BSI capitalizes on institutional salary systems (4.27) despite moderate Sharia compliance ratings (2.87). Implications: Three key policy directions emerge: hybrid digital-physical banking for coastal communities, Islamic financial ecosystem development, and fee transparency regulations. The study advances Markov Chain applications in behavioral finance while providing SEZ-specific insights for inclusive banking strategies.]]>
