Bank hours changed: In the light of second wave of coronavirus pandemic in the country, Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has advised banks to restrict working hours between 10 am to 2 pm.
Bank Hours Today – Customers please take note that Banking hours during the ongoing Covid pandemic and Lockdown have changed. Apart the timings, those who are looking to visit nearby branches of any bank, must now details related services. The changes in banking hours at both public and private lenders come after direction from Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
Bank Hours – All You Need To Know
Working hours at banks have been curtailed due to ongoing rapid spread of Coronavirus. IBA has advised banks to fix working hours from 10 am to 5 pm.
In a letter to State Level Banking Committee (SLBC) convenors, IBA said last month, “We are going through the challenging period of resurgence of the mutant virus with several states reporting record high daily numbers of new infections and there are serious concerns about the economic activities.”
Following this order, the public and private sector lender have implemented shorter banking hours. However, State Level Banking Committee convenors decide whether this new rule should be implemented in their respective areas or not, considering the COVID-19 situation. So if you are visiting branches, remember that most banks are functioning from 10 am to 2 pm. The new opening and closing hours will be effective till May 31.
Banks have also been asked to provide four mandatory services — accepting deposits, cash withdrawals, remittance and government businesses till the month-end. The State Level Banking Committees of each state and union territory will review the situation in their respective locations and decide on additional services that can be provided, IBA earlier mentioned in the letter.
That means if you want to visit nearby branch, please remember that bank hours (10 am – 2 pm) will remain till May 31.
IBA has also directed that bank staff can be called on rotational basis. Even employees can be allowed to work from home. IBA suggested that ideally 50 per cent of the employees may be called at office based on rotation.
State Bank of India (SBI) has encouraged its customers to stay safe at home. SBI is offering contactless service and issued toll free numbers 1800 112 211 or 1800 425 3800 for urgent banking services.
