Due to the new weekend shift in the UAE, banks across the UAE have announced new branch hours that may affect how you reach out to your bank.
According to a circular issued by the UAE Central Bank, banks will continue to operate six days a week, including Fridays, once the new working week rule goes into effect.
Banks are required to operate for a minimum of five hours a day, six days a week, except during Ramadan, the circular stated.
Banks have the freedom to decide when the administrative and back offices will be open and whether to implement a shift system for their branches stated the circular.
Emirates NBD
Emirates NBD announced that its 68 branches in the UAE would be open from Monday every week, with Sunday being a weekly holiday. Saturdays would also be closed in some offices.
Friday timings
The branches will close from 12.30 pm to 2 pm on Fridays for Friday prayers.
First Abu Dhabi Bank
The bank also confirmed that it would also be adopting the new work week in a statement on its website.
From January 3, 2022, FAB offices will work five days a week. Branches will operate six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. Sundays will be closed, according to the statement.
Depending on where the branch is located, the timings will vary on Friday.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
From Monday to Saturday, ADIB’s branches will remain open six days a week and will close on Sundays, according to its website.
On Fridays, standalone branches will be open from 8 am to 12noon, and mall-based branches will be open from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Emirates Islamic
On its website, the bank announced its new branch hours.
With a few exceptions, most branches will be open from Monday to Saturday. However, all branches will be closed from 12.30 pm to 2 pm on Fridays to observe the prayer break the bank said.
Mashreq Bank
The Mashreq Bank also announced that its official weekly holiday would be moved to Sunday. Its website lists the following service times:
Branch working hours:
Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 3.30 pm
Friday (exception): 7.30am to 12.30pm
Remote Tellers (ITM) services:
Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 7 pm
Friday (exception): 7.30am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 7pm
Dedicated Corporate Trade and Payment desk:
Corporate desks will accept documents from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Corporate Customer service:
Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Direct Banking Center:
Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm