Protests disrupt Hong Kong banks’ operations
Banks such as HSBC and Standard Chartered have closed branches in areas affected by the protests.
The continuing protests over a controversial piece of legislation in Hong Kong have affected the operations of local banks. Bank offices in areas where protests are concentrated remain closed today, as indicated by announcement by local financial services providers.
HSBC says on its website that the HSBC Pacific Place Premier Centre and Pacific Place Day & Night Plus is closed from 12 noon on June 12, 2019 until further notice due to public events. HSBC customers who require to use HSBC’s banking services during the period at Admiralty are advised to visit the Hay Wah Building Branch and Premier Centre, or to use the Bank’s personal internet banking, mobile banking or phone banking.
Standard Chartered Hong Kong temporarily suspended branch operations in Admiralty until further notice due to traffic disruption. The aim is to ensure safety of staff and customers. The bank has suspended the operations of the two branches in Admiralty due to severe traffic disruption in the area. Banking services in Admiralty district, including branch services, cheque deposit service, ATMs and cash and deposit machines, are temporarily suspended until further notice.
Branches that are temporarily affected include:
- Admiralty Branch
- Admiralty Priority Banking Centre
Customers who would like to carry out banking transactions during the period are advised to proceed to Standard Chartered branches in other districts. Customers can also perform banking transactions via mobile and online banking.
OCBC Wing Hang Bank today announced that its United Centre branch and related banking services have to be temporarily suspended until further notice.
Customers are asked to proceed to other OCBC Wing Hang Bank branches for services. Customers are also encouraged to use the online banking services for banking transactions or services.
A Hong Kong Government spokesman said today that a riot broke out in the Admiralty area, with protesters causing serious obstruction to major trunk roads and great inconvenience. The spokesman said a number of protesters had used very dangerous weapons and a high level of violence.
Members of the public should not go to the Admiralty area.
