Despite 'With Corona' Implementation, Bank Business Hours Remain Shortened by 1 Hour (Comprehensive)

Business Hours: 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM

[Asia Economy Reporters Jin-ho Kim, Kwang-ho Lee] Although 'With Corona' has begun, bank operating hours will continue to be shortened by one hour as before.

According to the financial sector on the 2nd, bank branches will maintain the shortened operating hours from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this month as well.

Banks have reduced branch operating hours several times from the original 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. since September last year, following the strengthening of social distancing measures.

Bank operating hours are determined through consultations between the Financial Industry Employers Council and the National Financial Industry Labor Union. Park Han-jin, Secretary General of the Financial Labor Union, said, "We are not discussing the normalization of branch operating hours," adding, "It will be reconsidered in next year's sectoral collective bargaining."

However, banks will ease quarantine rules from this day in accordance with the government's With Corona guidelines.

Shinhan Bank adjusted the headquarters' telecommuting and split work ratio from over 30% to over 20%. The cafeteria remains closed as before but will operate by selling salads and lunch boxes. In particular, events, training, and external meetings with affiliates can be held face-to-face with a minimized number of attendees.

Kookmin Bank also relaxed the headquarters' telecommuting and split work ratio to 20%. Face-to-face meetings, training, workshops, and domestic and overseas business trips are all permitted. Especially for branches, the limit of 10 waiting customers in the lobby will be abolished.

Woori Bank applies a standard of fewer than 100 people when including both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants for meetings, training, and events, and fewer than 500 people when only vaccinated and tested negative participants are included. The split work ratio remains at 30%.

Hana Bank relaxes the headquarters' split work ratio from 40% to 20%. Customer reception and meeting-related matters will follow government guidelines. However, branch operating hours will continue to be shortened as before.

A bank official said, "Despite the shortened operating hours, there is not much inconvenience or complaints from financial consumers," adding, "As digital finance such as mobile applications (apps) has taken root, there are fewer cases of lining up at branches as before, so the shortened operating hours may become more common."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.