Kathmandu, January 24
Over 100 branches of several commercial branches across the country have been closed as of Sunday with over 6,000 staff members contracting Covid-19.
Nepal Bankers’ Association, an organisation of commercial bank operators, says services at these sections have been completely halted due to the majority of staff there getting infected in the third wave of the pandemic.
The organisation’s Executive Director Anil Sharma says Nabil Bank has reported the closure of the highest number of branches (19) whereas Rastriya Banijya Bank says 15 of its branches have been closed.
Besides A-class commercial banks, several branches of B-class development banks, C-class finance companies and D-class microfinance companies have been closed, according to stakeholders.
Pradyumna Pokharel, the president of the Development Bankers’ Association of Nepal, an organisation of development banks, says the remaining branches are operating with maximum possible safety measures.
