Local banks and other financial institutions have geared up to meet customers’ requirements when they will be closed for nine consecutive days from today in view of Eid al-Adha and the weekend holidays.
Banks have already organised their call centres and posted field operation teams, which will be available for customer help round-the-clock, industry sources said yesterday.
All automated teller machines (ATMs) across Qatar would also be under scrutiny to ensure they are sufficiently loaded with cash.
The card team in each bank has been put on maximum alert in view of the potentially higher use of credit cards by customers during Eid. Besides assisting customers, the teams will also be on the ‘lookout for any misuse’.
Qatar’s largest financial institution QNB said its Doha International Airport outlet and two e-branches in Dar Al Salam Mall and Al Khor Mall will operate round-the-clock during Eid al-Adha.
Although QNB like other banks and financial institutions would reopen only on October 20 after the Eid holidays, some of its branches will open early – on October 16 and follow normal working hours. These branches are The Mall, Villaggio, City Center, Landmark Mall, Lagoona Mall and Cards Centre.
The country’s largest Islamic bank QIB said four of its branches will remain operational during Eid al-Adha.
QIB branches at Barwa, Muaither and Al Nasiriyah will open their doors on October 16, 17 and 19 from 9am to noon, while the City Center branch will provide its services during normal operational hours throughout the holidays, except for October 15, which is the first day of Eid.
QIB’s round-the-clock e-services will also be available through ATMs in more than 170 locations in Qatar, as well as its Internet banking, mobile application, and phone banking.
An International Islamic spokesman said the bank’s call centre (44840000) would function round-the-clock and provide all necessary assistance to customers. Besides this, the bank’s 75 ATMs across the country will be available, 24x7.
HSBC Qatar said its branches in the country would open only on October 20 after the Eid holidays.
Financial institutions governed by Qatar Central Bank including insurance companies would also remain closed until October 19.
A source said it was “quite unusual” for financial institutions to take such a long break.
“I have seen either three or four days’ continuous holidays for banks and financial institutions but not nine consecutive days,” a resident said.
