When it comes to banks and other specific businesses, a lot of people were confused by this whole level 2 thing. We tried to explain it in laymen terms. But like everyone else we still have questions and one of them was would banks be allowed to open. Well the answer is yes, most, if not all, banks are going to be opening today Monday 4 May 2020.

Most banks have been sending messages to their customers informing them that they will be opening some of their branches starting today. First Capital Bank, already had some of its branches open even before the lockdown level was downgraded to level 2. We have also received messages from Ecobank and FBC Bank.

Dear customer, We advise that all our branches will reopen effective Monday 4 May; Mon-Fri 8am to 2 pm and Sat 8am-11:20am. For your own safety and that of others around you, wearing face masks is now Mandatory when entering any our our branches. Stay Safe. Ecobank.

The message from Ecobank to customers

All FBC Bank and Building Society Branches will open from 8am-2pm during weekdays and 8am-11am on Saturdays, except FBC S.Machel, N. Mandela and Graniteside.

The message from FBC

Again note the conditions

Customers would do well to take note of the conditions. You will need to wear a mask in order to be allowed into the bank. It’s almost certain that you will have to bring your own mask as banks are unlikely to be providing masks given the cost of doing so. You should also note the shortened operating hours. To be honest banks have always closed early with most shutting their doors to new customers around 15:00 during weekdays and 11:30am during Saturdays so shaving off an hour is not a big deal.

Also given how banks have failed to dispense cash for a while now, not many people really missed them. Unless they start dishing out cash, they won’t be long queues outside banks anyway. Except maybe a few depositors and people with queries maybe.