BANKS will shut down for the coming Christmas and New Year festivities.
To date, announcements have already been made by Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB), Banco de Oro Unibank (BDO), Maybank, Security Bank, and PSBank.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will also suspend operations on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. However, it said will open its BSP cash units and regional offices until noon on Dec. 26 to exchange old notes or New Design Series (NDS).
Both Christmas and New Year fall on a Monday. Malacañang declared Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 as non-working holidays, and suspended government work nationwide on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
In a statement, BDO said that its branches will be closed on Christmas (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2018). Banking operations on Dec. 24 and Jan. 2 will be shortened, while regular banking operations will be implemented on Dec. 26 to 29 and on Jan. 2.
Meanwhile, BDO’s electronic channels are ready to handle transactions during this season, it said.
BPI said it will be extending banking hours towards the end of the year, although it will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. On weekdays until Jan. 3, at least 119 BPI and 49 BFSB branches will have extended banking hours up to 6 p.m.
In addition to this, 96 BPI and 17 BFSB branches will be open to serve customers on three Saturdays of December – Dec. 9, 16, and 23.
All branches of Security Bank and PS Bank will likewise close on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Maybank will have more days closed, from Dec. 23 to 26, and from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1.
These banks assured that their ATMs, online and mobile banking services will be available all throughout the holiday season.
The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) declared no trading day on Dec. 25 and 26 and on Jan. 1 and 2. (JOG)