SBP revises bank timings to 9AM-5:30PM

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced Thursday that it was revising banks’ timings to 9AM-5:30PM, revising the timings due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

“Effective from July 13. 2020, the banks/MFBs shall observe the following office timings till further orders. However, banks/MFBs may prescribe business hours for branches as per their business requirement subject to observance of SP business (banking) hours public dealings as notified vide BRPD Circular Letter No. 20 dated April 23, 2020,” read a notification from the central bank.

Earlier, SBP had said banks would function with their critical staff and operate from 10am to 4:30pm, starting March 24 as the number of coronavirus cases in the country spiked.

The SBP’s earlier notification had stated: “All branches/ work places will remain open, throughout Pakistan with bare minimum staff for ensuring the continuity of essential banking services.

“SBP is constantly evaluating the situation and implementing a number of measures to ensure the continuity of banking services during these difficult times.”