By KYIV. Nov 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Bank branches are adapting to work without electricity, in particular, they are purchasing generators and switching to an advisory mode of customer service, then online banking services work without interruption, press services interviewed by Interfax-Ukraine reported.
"Of course, for a bank, as for everyone, a power outage is an additional challenge and complexity, but we are doing everything so that our customers have round-the-clock access to banking services through remote channels [Privat24]," the press service of PrivatBank said.
It is indicated that the bank has a certain number of previously purchased generators for use in the event of a temporary blackout.
"If necessary, the bank will consider the issue of additional purchase of generators," the financial institution added.
According to the press service of OTP Bank, during a power outage, its branches also work in a consultative mode, without carrying out some transactions. It is indicated that some of the bank’s branches are provided with alternative power sources and operate as usual, regardless of outages.
"We understand that the power outage schedule is currently unstable and can change at any time depending on the needs of our power engineers," OTP Bank added.
In turn, Ukreximbank, in order to ensure work during a special period during martial law, introduced a set of measures in the field of logistics and infrastructure, including taking into account possible power outages.
The bank clarified that it is equipping reserve centers for the location of critical personnel, organized material support for separate divisions of the bank for their autonomy, thought out logistics and ensuring the functioning of transport. In particular, for the operation of transport and generators, it created a reserve of fuels and lubricants, while dispersing their storage locations.
"The bank has created a guaranteed power supply system, which includes two independent inputs from the city power grid, uninterruptible power supplies and diesel generators, an automatic switching system to backup power supply," the press service notes.
Alfa-Bank indicated that due to problems with electricity, it reduced the work of branches by one hour from November 1 – until 17:00. Exceptions are offices in Nikopol, Chuhuiv, Zaporizhia and Mykolaiv, where employees work on an individual schedule due to constant shelling.
According to the press service, the financial institution has developed a plan to respond to emergency and scheduled power outages, providing the regions with backup power sources, in particular diesel and gasoline generators, and continues to purchase them.
All banks surveyed by the agency note the absence of interruptions in online services and recommend that customers use them as a priority for transactions. Also, all institutions point to the smooth operation of contact centers and support services.
In turn, PrivatBank also recommended that clients, if they are unable to connect to the contact center due to power outages in certain regions of the country, contact the online chat.
