7-Days a Week Banking

Bank eyes seven-day operations
13 April 2006
South China Morning Post

Hang Seng Bank is considering opening seven days a week in some districts when it introduces a shorter week for its staff, vice-chairman and chief executive Raymond Or Ching-fai says.

The bank yesterday moved a step closer to a five-day work week, to be introduced this year.

Last week, the Hong Kong Association of Banks hinted that the introduction of a five-day clearing week was more a case of when rather than if, which would enable the introduction of a five-day working week in the sector.

Speaking after a public function, Mr Or said the bank planned to introduce the change this year.

"A five-day week will be the general direction in future," he said, adding that the bank was studying issues related to introducing the change.

He said branches would continue to work Saturdays, but might limit the range of business to be transacted.

Another option is to follow the practice adopted by some overseas banks and remain open on Sundays in areas with high service demand, with a five-day week in low-demand areas.

Mevas Bank has introduced six-day operations from 9am to 9pm at three of its branches.

In January, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announced plans to introduce a five-day week for the civil service from July.