Covid-19: UBA Leads The Pace As Banks Get Proper Handle On “Crowd” Control

Multiple checks by societynow.ng revealed that the Banks are getting better at ensuring customers obey keep – safe rules in the fight against Covid-19.

This development comes on the heels of spectacular fails by some of the financial institutions on the first and second days of relaxed restrictions on movement, especially in Lagos.

The Federal Government relaxed restricted movements in Lagos, Abuja, and Ogun State -the flashpoints – in the fight against Covid 19 and ordered expanded numbers of business, including Banks to re-open for full-fledged operation on Monday, May 4, 2020.

The manner customers “locked down” for about five weeks stormed the Banks overwhelmed many of their Security men – and all structures put in place to enforce safety rules in the fight against Covid-19 collapsed – particularly in high-density areas.

But the situation is getting better and setting the pace is United Bank for Africa (UBA).

A random sampling of opinions and visits to a cross-section of banks during business hours by societynow.ng revealed that UBA has the highest numbers of branches enforcing Covid-19 keep safe rules, particularly physical distancing – widely substituted for social distancing – and use of Sanitizers.

Societynow.ng’s checks revealed that in high-end residential areas, virtually all the banks including Zenith Bank and even FCMB are above board in the enforcement of Covid-19 safety rules – restricting numbers of customers inside the bank to avoid congestion and ensure the free flow of air.

Societynow.ng learned another strategy adopted by UBA and replicated by some of the other banks is to reduce the crowd by attending to customers who come to make complaints and only need to fill forms outside the banking, ensuring such people leave quickly and allow for freer movement for others societynow.ng learned.

The multi-faceted approach is being utilized in high-density areas as well – and a firm hand on crowd control is gradually easing into place at the banks – with UBA at the forefront.