DBAN asks member banks to adopt necessary safety measures

To cope with the difficult situation that the second wave of the coronavirus has created in providing services to customers, the Development Bankers Association Nepal (DBAN) has issued a few guidelines to its member banks for their smooth and safe operation.

The association has formulated the guidelines by incorporating the directives issued by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) for the operation of development banks during this crisis. The association has mentioned that all the member banks need to follow the directives issued by the central bank and take necessary measures to make sure that both the staff and customers are not put at any type of risk of the COVID-19.

DBAN has asked member banks that are in operation where prohibitory orders have been issued to strictly follow NRB’s guidelines and make a plan on how they are going to operate their offices. It has also urged the members to share the plan and coordinate with each other.

The association has also urged the banks to post a notice regarding which branches will be open and their opening hours on its website and the main door of the branches on a daily basis. It has also mentioned that if the local administration decides to halt the operation of banks or provides alternate methods then the members need to work accordingly. It has asked all banks to coordinate with the local administration and other concerned local authorities.

The Development Bankers Association Nepal has also directed its member banks to designate a contact person each in the head office and all the branches to coordinate with the customers. The contact person’s mobile number and email address must be posted on the respective bank’s website.

The association has also directed its members to designate two-high level officers as contact persons in their head offices. The names, mobile numbers and email addresses of such contact persons must be submitted to the association’s secretariat.

DBAN has also urged its members to encourage their customers to make use of the digital banking facility. The association has also asked the banks to make their customers aware and teach them about the necessary security measures that need to be taken during digital transactions.