Banks cautious, but say will open

Commercial banks in the country have indicated that they will open for business today despite the tension brought about by the judgement the Constitutional Court is set to deliver today in the presidential election nullification petition case.

In separate interviews yesterday, six out of the country’s eight banks said they would open for business, but will continuously monitor the situation for safety purposes.

Standard Bank Malawi plc head of marketing and communication Thoko Unyolo said the bank will open for normal business while assessing security conditions.

She said: “We shall continue to monitor the situation in the locations we operate in and respond appropriately to developments for the sake of our staff, customers and other stakeholders.”

In a separate interview, National Bank of Malawi plc (NBM) corporate affairs manager Akossa Hiwa said the bank will also open for business, but remain cautious and on guard.

“We are taking precautionary measures while monitoring the situation because safety is our number one priority,” she said.  

First Capital Bank head of transactional banking and marketing Ewen Hiwa and FDH Financial Holdings Limited public relations officer Lorraine Lusinje also confirmed in separate interviews they would be in business.

Similarly, an official from NBS Bank plc and Ecobank Malawi marketing, brands  and communications manager Takondwa Chirwa also told The Nation they would open for business.

Spot-checks around Blantyre at the weekend showed that some banks have tightened security with strict measures to contain the situation.

At Nedbank Blantyre Branch along Victoria Avenue, the walls have been covered with blockboards, apparently to protect the glasses from possible damage in case of riots.

In Lilongwe Old Town, FDH Bank has also covered glasses of its branch.

Most of the banks have only left the entrance/exit doors and automated teller machines clear. However, other banks such as FDH Bank Umoyo House Branch, NBS Bank Blantyre Branch, NBM Victoria Avenue Service Centre and Standard Bank Blantyre Branch were all clear with no alterations by 5pm yesterday.