Kuwait’s banks considering adding 2-hour evening shift during Ramadan

Bank officials are reviewing a proposal to adjust customer service hours in local banks during Ramadan. Some are advocating for the reinstatement of an evening shift, allowing banks to operate in two shifts instead of one.

Informed sources told Al-Rai that multiple banks have proposed adjusting branch operating hours during Ramadan. If implemented, morning banking hours would remain the same as last Ramadan, while an additional two-hour evening shift, likely from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, would be introduced.

Moreover, during last year’s Ramadan, local banks operated in a single shift from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM, while branches in shopping malls followed a two-shift schedule—11:00 AM to 3:30 PM and 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM, except on Fridays. Meanwhile, bank branches at Kuwait International Airport remained open 24/7.

The sources indicated that the proposal to extend banking hours to two shifts during Ramadan is still under discussion. While some banks prefer to maintain last Ramadan’s schedule, citing the availability of mobile banking apps and ATMs across Kuwait, others argue for an evening shift to accommodate a large segment of customers whose businesses and activities are tied to evening shift.

Furthermore, the sources noted that discussions on this matter are still ongoing, with a decision expected soon before the start of Ramadan.