We can divide the time as after COVID19 and before COVID19, don’t you think so? That is quite the case with everything that is happening today. We have changed in so many ways. Like, we have begun to value our freedom after being in a quarantine that lasted forever. At the same time, we have begun to live a life with distance and space to protect each other. Just as we adapted to the new environment, so did the world and its ways. Banks, however, have taken a big part in this. Before COVID, we all knew when banks worked and when they didn’t. But since there is this big change now – we can look at it here.
What Happened to Bank Timings After COVID19?
During India’s statewide lockdown due to the Coronavirus, some public and private sector banks changed their operation hours, reduced their employee count, and discontinued non-essential activities. However, all banks resumed normal operations and working hours in August.
In addition, services that were previously suspended have already been restored. Banks are taking strict security and safety measures for both clients and employees:
- Customers must wear a face mask throughout their visit to the bank.
- The banks are supplied with a variety of sanitizers. Customers are asked to fully clean their hands before entering and exiting the bank.
- Security personnel are trained to conduct temperature checks on all customers.
- Customers are asked to keep a safe distance of at least one meter between themselves.
In this article – let us look at the SBI Bank Timings.
What are the Bank Timings in Our Country?
Banks typically open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. However, certain banks are open 24 hours a day, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Some banks are only open for six hours a day, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
As a result – it is essential that one research the bank’s operating hours before visiting the branch.
What Services are Still Available When the Bank is Off?
You cannot access the following bank services on off-days and holidays:
- Services for National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT).
- Services for Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS).
- Any physical banking service, such as updating your passbook, obtaining currency from the bank, depositing or withdrawing cash, visiting your bank locker, and so on.
What are the Services that are Available Even When the Bank is Closed?
The following bank services are available even on their off days and/or holidays: –
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
- Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)
- ATM Services
- Internet Banking
- Mobile Banking
- Cheque Drop service at ATMs and other Cheque Drop-boxes
What are the Lunch Timings for the Bank?
During the lunch hour, banks do not close for business. Customers can transact business at the bank at any time during business hours. Bank employees take their lunch breaks in batches to avoid disrupting the company. Lunch is normally served between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
Why do You Need to Know the Timings of the Bank?
This is a very obvious answer – because you have to.
Banks, after they are closed or when they are closed, will not entertain any questions and more. Moreover, banks are always crowded, with people walking around always tense. And if you want to make it on time and faster than the crowd – you would have to keep pace with the timings of the bank.
But, do you know one good thing that has taken a turn in the banking industry? That is always the Internet.
What has the Internet Done to the Banking Industry?
The entire world is at your fingertips
Many individuals will be able to relate to this because, in some way or another, technology affects all of us. Everything, from ordering food to shopping for stuff, is just a tap away. You also do not need to take cash with you; instead, you can make a digital payment from your E-Wallet. Similarly, one can use net banking to move money from one account to another, order cheque books, check the amount, make payments, form Fixed Deposits, and so on.
Improved Customer Service
The old banking system was incredibly exhausting and time-consuming, resulting in terrible client experiences. This was because of the fact that one had to stand in long lines, file several papers, and be physically present. The introduction of net banking and mobile banking has lowered the amount of time you spend on banking operations while also ensuring hassle-free customer support even from a remote place.
Fewer errors and improved data security
When banking entirely relied on human accuracy and expertise, mistakes and blunders were more visible. Because human capacities are limited, individuals are prone to skipping key steps or making calculating errors. With the arrival of computers, the frequency of errors has nearly disappeared. Another key aspect of this is that it can protect data considerably more effectively. Today’s technology provides such full security for your transactions and data security that data misuse is extremely unusual.
Profitability is driven by business intelligence
The Reserve Bank of India has pushed all Indian banks to adopt Business Intelligence (BI) in order to boost overall industry profitability. Data for historical, current, and prospective trends is provided through a business intelligence system. This data assists banks in making the right judgments, which can lead to an overall rise in production, efficiency, and profitability.
Conclusion
It’s always right you check with your bank before you visit it because it takes a lot of time and effort to get to the bank, and most importantly, you do not want to end up going to a closed bank.