Notices on a window at Hana Bank's headquarters in central Seoul explain that shortened operating hours from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will be extended in accordance with social distancing rules, in this photo taken in July 2021. The last remaining pandemic restriction requiring face masks to be worn at all indoor facilities will be lifted beginning on Jan. 30 but whether operating hours at banks will be normalized remains uncertain. Korea Times file

By Yi Whan-woo

Korean commercial banks are under growing pressure to normalize offline operating hours after health authorities on Friday decided to lift a mandate that requires face masks in all indoor facilities.

The decision will take effect from Jan. 30. The mask mandate will only continue to remain in place at hospitals, pharmacies and when using public transportation.

The indoor mask rule was the last remaining COVID-19 pandemic restriction, which the banks cited as a reason to shorten their offline operating hours to six hours from the original seven hours.

In a bid to minimize person-to-person contact, most branches of lenders have opened from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as compared with the original 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. before the pandemic era.

However, consumer complaints grew as those who are uncomfortable with digital banking and, therefore rely on in-person services, had difficulty visiting the banks within the shortened operation schedule.

Under the circumstances, banks vowed to immediately restore seven-hour operations when the indoor mask mandate is terminated.

Nevertheless, the Korean Financial Industry Union, the alliance of unions representing employees in the financial industry, insists that whether to restore such operating hours should be determined through consultation with all involved parties.

The management and labor agreed in 2022 to set up a joint task force to narrow down differences and held the first task force meeting on Jan. 12 of this year.

The meeting, however, ended up not reaching a consensus. Moreover, the two sides failed to set up a date for a further meeting.

"The conflict suggests it will take time for the banks to normalize operating hours even after the indoor mask rule is terminated," said the Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations, a Seoul-based consumer advocacy group, Friday.

It went on to say, "The clients of banks have rights to choose between in-person and contactless services and the banks should take corresponding measures to offer such choices."

The case is likely to drag on considering that bank unionists are in addition calling for a four-and-a-half day work week.

The demand was made under the idea that more consumers opt for digital banking services and that "efficient management" of banking personnel for offline services is necessary.

The demand will leave clients who prefer in-person services with fewer chances to visit banks, even if the seven-hour operation system is restored.

KB Kookmin Bank, the nation's largest lender, faces another complaint from its customers as it closes for lunchtime at nine branches nationwide since Dec. 30.

The nine branches, according to KB Kookmin Bank, are located in rural areas with fewer customers compared to cities so the measure is not expected to result in any inconvenience to clients.

"It still is considered a reckless measure because lunchtime is usually the preferred time for bank visits by working people," the Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations said.