- Banks in S/E adjust operating hours over fuel price hike, economic hardship
- Customers react, say that is not enough reason for shortening operating hours
- Bank staff assure customers of quality service
The last may not have been seen of the negative effects of the current economic hardship and fuel subsidy removal in the country as banks in South East zone of the country had adjusted their operating hours.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that these banks took decision following the rising cost of operation in their various branches.
Our reporter findings revealed that many of these banks have issued a new operating hours last week, informing their customers that the new directive will take effect from March 1, 2024.
According to directive by one of the banks, they will start opening for business from 9am instead of 8am and close for customers at 3pm against 4pm.
In any case, when WITHIN NIGERIA visited some of the banks in Nsukka, Enugu state at 3pm on Friday, it was learnt that these have already started implementing the directive without waiting for March 1 deadline.
At Access bank, Nsukka one of the security men at the gate who spoke to our reporter under anonymity said that they have started carrying out the order without delay.
When reminded that there was no prior information, the security man explained that ” things are already getting out hands, so our institution decided to start closing for customers by 3pm.”
At Kenechukwu Microfinance bank also in Nsukka, there was a written notice conspicuously pasted at the entrance of the financial institution, informing customers of the new directive.
According to the directives by the bank, with effect from March 1, 2024, the bank will be opening for business at 9am and close at exactly 3pm.
However, one of the staff of a new generation bank in Owerri, Imo state told WITHIN NIGERIA that the rising cost of operation has necessitated that banks should adjust their opening and closing time.
According to the staff who gave his name as Reginald Eke, ” we cannot continue to operate at lost in order to satisfy our customers. Before now we open at 8am and close at 4pm but we cannot close like this any longer.”
Explaining further Reginald stated that ” customers should bear with us because we are trying to satisfy them. The two hours we are cutting off from our operation means a lot for us and the cost. We will revert back if the situation improves.”
Customers’ reactions
One of the customers of the one of the new generation banks in Enugu metropolis who spoke to our reporter explained that the situation will further stress up the citizens.
The customer who gave her name as Jane Idogwu said that she is a civil servant and as such, going to bank before 4pm will not be convenient for her.
” I am a civil servant with Enugu state. We close work at 4pm. Going to back before 3pm will not be convenient for me and other civil servants like me. But if these banks have decided to be closing for customers at 3pm, we don’t have any option than to abide by their rules and go there earlier.”
Another bank customer Hillary Okagu who resides in Abakiliki told WITHIN NIGERIA that opening by 9am and closing by 3pm may not really solve the problem.
“How can you start at 9am when most people who patronize you also open their business by 7am? For me, opening at 9am and closing at 6pm is not the best solution to the problem. Rather, these banks should find a way of mitigating their cost of operation other than opening for business for just six hours in a day.”