COVID-19 impacted lives and economies across the world and showed us that we cannot take things for granted. The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live and will continue to have a major influence on our lives.
The banking sector has played a critical role in the unprecedented financial shock caused by the pandemic through supporting customer support initiatives launched by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) including payroll and hospital financing, restructuring loans, ensuring credit flow and other measures. Banks also continued to deliver complete financial services, supported affected borrowers, and ensured that people had access to funds and banking services as and when required. This kept customer confidence high. However, the role of Bankers has been overlooked and their importance forgotten in the general panic.
Banks remained operational throughout the pandemic, ensured health and safety for employees and customers, offered digital channels for customer transactions, and promoted branchless banking options and process digitization. Noteworthy in these efforts were Branch, Operations and Technology teams.
Organizations like JS Bank, Habib Bank, Faysal Bank and others were seen at the forefront of these efforts.
The efforts made by Bankers across the country need to be highlighted and these brave individuals need to be thanked for their efforts. It is important to not only to acknowledge their efforts but also to instill motivation as we begin the road to financial recovery and future growth.
Ahmed Ali Usuf is Group Head Operations, JS Bank Limited.
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