Banks in Nepal will keep selected branches open during the Dashain holiday to ensure customers can access essential financial services during the country’s biggest Hindu festival, when cash transactions typically increase.
The services will be limited, however, and customers will not be able to access all the facilities available on regular working days. Basic services will include cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque books, SMS and internet banking, and remittance payments and transfers.
Surendra Raj Regmi, vice-president of the Nepal Bankers’ Association, said banks would open designated branches based on customer demand and need.
“Our aim is to ensure that people can access basic banking services even during the holidays,” he said. “We will provide services through selected branches based on demand and requirements.”
Customers will be able to deposit and withdraw cash at designated branches, Regmi said. Although ATMs, SMS banking and internet banking already provide round-the-clock access to financial services, banks will also operate physical branches during the festival holiday.
“Banks will continue to provide services during the Dashain holiday,” he said, adding that selected branches inside and outside the Kathmandu Valley would remain open as required.
Banks will publish notices identifying the branches that will operate during the holiday, usually on their websites. Customers can also contact their banks directly for information.
As services will be restricted during the holiday, banks will impose transaction limits on certain activities. There will be no limit on deposits, but withdrawals and remittance payments will be subject to limits that vary from bank to bank.
Most banks plan to open designated branches for two to three hours a day on holidays other than the day of ‘tika’, when families gather to receive blessings and blessings are exchanged as part of the festival. Some banks that aim to provide services throughout the year are also preparing to operate on Tika Day, although only through a limited number of branches.
Banks and financial institutions have completed preparations for the holiday, including decisions on which branches to operate, opening hours, cash management, security arrangements and staff rosters. Some banks plan to keep their head offices open, while others will provide services through major branches.
Dashain, celebrated by a large proportion of Nepal’s population, is among the country’s longest public holidays. Financial transactions tend to rise during the festival as people withdraw cash for shopping, travel, family gatherings and other celebrations, making access to banking services particularly important.
Competition among banks has intensified as the country’s financial sector has expanded, prompting institutions to diversify and improve their services. Many now offer round-the-clock digital banking and services throughout the year. Banks have increasingly extended branch services into the Dashain holiday in recent years, competing to make essential transactions easier for customers.
National-level development banks and finance companies are also preparing to provide banking services during the holiday.
Keeping branches open during Dashain requires some employees to work while others celebrate with their families. Banks have drawn up staff rosters to ensure that employees can take turns working during the holiday. Those assigned to branches will receive additional benefits, banks said.
Opening hours have been arranged according to customer demand, with morning, afternoon and evening shifts considered. Most banks are expected to operate between 11am and 2pm, with staff schedules organised accordingly.