Bank Working Hours in Ramadan

Posted by Bashar
September 7, 2008

 

Most people these days would have something to do with banks. During Ramadan, most places have shorter working hours, and this is absolutely normal. Banks are private sector, and they hold a critical role however in people’s lives, so such companies should be careful when deciding about their hours. Unfortunately, it became a trend by NBK, KFH and many other banks not to open at all at night, making the only option at day time. And since the weekends have now shifted to Fri-Sat throughout the country, we no longer have a free day to do our banking jobs. Thus, we need to go in afternoon, or during Ramadan now, we have to go during day time, i.e., we have to leave work to do our banking business.

Problem does not stop here however. Bank opening hours are for some reason from 10:00-1:30. That’s 3.5 hours + half an hour before and after for their pre and post processing. That’s total of 4.5 hours, just like government working hours. And coming at a time where people are arm-wrestling for paper-forms to apply for the public offering of the long awaited 3rd mobile operator, you end up having to spend your whole day at the bank (i.e., take the day off), just to do a simple transaction, even if not related to the public offering.

So let’s go by the facts one more time:

  1. Banks don’t open at night, only day time
  2. People now work on Thursdays, so they can’t use the one day difference anymore
  3. Working hours in day time are too short. You have to leave work to do your job
  4. Bank is crowded with people signing for public offerings
All of this is making banks a completely condensed place to go, and usually when you need to go to the bank, you really need to go to the bank. Just to transfer some money today, I waited for more than 90 minutes. Thanks to deposit machine, I didn’t have to wait any longer. Otherwise, I would have to wait for around 60 people ahead of me.


Our words to the banks: We understand Ramadan is a tiring month. We understand if some employees need rest. However the current situation, and the public offering requires much more dedication from your side. Banks like NBK are spending thousands of KDs right now on ads. But there is no point in advertising when you can’t really take the load! You are inviting people when you simply don’t have time or place to accomodate them. It’s like advertisint for your website when it’s actually out of bandwidth! 


You could utilize your money to overpay some employees, open few branches at night. Better service will bring more customers.

 

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Comments

Do most of your banking online, other than that… there is no choice but to go during the day! I wish they open few branches at night to operate! but with Ramadan in the summer, when do they start! If futoor is 6ish… you know?

I wonder if They could have longer hours like up to 4:00PM at least for the last few days, and make it in shifts 9:00-12:30, and 12:30-4:00

Comment by Ansam on September 8, 2008 @ 7:45 am

Ansam: I usually do so, but when you want to transfer large amount, online won’t help you.

I wish they could do what you say. Extend the hours. I will go straight after work. People really are welling to go at that time.

Comment by Bashar on September 8, 2008 @ 8:21 am

I have to agree that it is a bit annoying that the timing is off but there isn’t much to do about it. It is difficult to have working hours after futoor.

I think they should open a few branches in rotation and notify people of it. That would be great.

Comment by Marzouq on September 8, 2008 @ 11:16 am

Marzouq: Yes, I understand. It’s difficult to do so, but doable. Which is what leading banks should do I presume. Or at least, expand day time hours a little bit. Pay employees little extra, you are making money after all right?

Comment by Bashar on September 8, 2008 @ 12:49 pm

I delivered your msg to NBK :-P

Comment by Ansam on September 8, 2008 @ 4:36 pm

Ansam: What… intruder!!!
HOW YOU…

Thanks. Anyways, I went through hell already :) I’m sure my msg is not unique to them. It’s just more quantity

Comment by Bashar on September 8, 2008 @ 11:07 pm

Will we ever see the day where a person will never have to interact with tellers at a bank? I mean ATM deposits and online banking is surely helping but still.. I feel that whenever there is a human factor involved, one expect trouble.

Comment by Ali on September 8, 2008 @ 11:38 pm

Ali: Problem is, for safety reasons there is a limit on transfer limit online. Come to think of it, it really is needed to protect against theft.

Comment by Bashar on September 9, 2008 @ 12:29 am

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