Standard Charted Bank has announced a temporary closure of eight branches as part minimizing costs of running those branches because of low traffic occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic and keeping its staff safe.
In a communication to its stakeholders, Edith Chumba, Head of Retail Banking, Kenya and East Africa, said the temporary closure will be effective 01 May 2020.
“The staff from these branches will be deployed to support other branches or business units. Please be assured that there will be no interruption to your banking as we have branches within proximity as well as our robust online and mobile platforms allowing you 24/7 banking anytime, anywhere,” Chumba said.
Standard Chartered branches that have been temporarily closed are Koinange, Harambee Avenue, Garden City, T-Mall, Two Rivers Mall, Upperhill, JKIA, and Maritine in Mombasa.
Customers of those branches have been requested to use those that are within proximity which are Kenyatta Avenue, TRM Mall, Galleria Mall and Yaya Centre, Muthaiga, Yaya Centre, Industrial Area/Sameer Park and Treasury Square in Mombasa respectively.
The bank said customers can also use internet banking and mobile banking facilities that remain open.
Customers not yet registered for online and mobile services call 24-hour Client Contact Centre on +254 (0)20 329 3900, +254 (0)703 093900 or email at Ke.Service@sc.com.
Video or chat with on www.sc.com/ke (Monday – Friday 9am-9pm), or raise complaints at Complaints.Ke@sc.com
According to the Kenya Bankers Association, the industry encourages banks and the banking public to go cash light through the use of debit cards, mobile banking, and internet banking.
To facilitate increased use of mobile or digital platforms, the Central Bank of Kenya earlier announced removal of all charges for transfers between mobile money wallets and bank accounts have been removed for 90 days.
“With access to numerous digital banking options, we hope to reduce instances of customers, staff and suppliers coming into contact with COVID-19 within our branches,” said the association in an earlier brief.