Banks told to keep ATMs running
FOLLOWING complaints that several banks in Vietnam have stopped providing ATM services at night, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has ordered all banks nationwide to provide ATM services at all hours.
Local media reported that many ATMs on the outside of buildings and shopping malls were turned off when the venues shut, stopping customers using the service, the central bank said.
The SBV has asked all banks and card payment service providers to review their entire ATM systems and ensure smooth operation of ATMs by adjusting ATM working hours.
A Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) representative told Tu newspaper that State Bank rules dictate that all ATMs operate continuously. However, the central bank does allow banks to turn off ATMs as long as their opening times are listed at the facilities and on the banks’ websites, the representative said.
Hoang Chi Mai, a resident of Thanh Xuan district in Hanoi and Agribank customer, said she often withdraws money at an ATM booth on Ngun Trai Street near her house.
“The security guard locks up the booth at 10pm. I thought these ATM booths were open around the clock,” Mai said.
According to Nguyn Hoang Minh, deputy director of the SBV’s HCM City branch, several banks have stopped providing ATM services at night to prevent criminals from stealing money from customers’ accounts. With thieves carrying out increasingly sophisticated activities, police have advised lenders to prepare measures to cope with the situation, Minh said. The central bank will check if local banks follow the correct protocol for this adjustment, he added.
Tn Quang Thoi, an expert in this field, told Tui Tr (Youth) newspaper that although the banks’ decision aimed to ensure the security of customers’ assets, some methods of tackling card fraud have created problems.
