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Banks to close branches for three days during Tihar holiday amid spike in coronavirus cases

Bankers’ association urges public to embrace digital banking services
By Republica

Bankers’ association urges public to embrace digital banking services  


KATHMANDU, Nov 10: Bank branches will remain closed from Saturday to Monday due to Tihar holiday. Though the commercial banks used to open certain branches even during the festive holiday, they will be shuttered during Tihar this year amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.


However, digital banking services and ATM services will be available even during the holidays, according to bankers.


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Issuing a statement on Tuesday, Nepal Bankers’ Association — the umbrella organization of commercial banks — said that all bank branches would remain closed between November 14 and November 16 due to Tihar holiday.


Stating that digital banking services (mobile/internet banking) as well as ATM services will be available even when the bank branches are closed, the NBA has urged clients for the maximum use of such services to minimize the risks of coronavirus infection.


NBA, in its statement, also said that banks have been providing their services regularly despite the growing coronavirus infection rate among their employees. According to the NBA, over 6,000 bank employees have contracted COVID-19 so far.


To encourage clients to embrace cashless transactions, banks have waived interbank ATM card withdrawal charges. They have also been offering various schemes and discounts on electronic payments and transfers as well as mobile banking. 


 

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