The bank said it had also allocated R21.5 million to support social relief programmes and humanitarian organisations to provide essential care and support to people, businesses, schools and greater communities in the affected areas. Bridge City Mall in KwaMashu which FNB has listed as among its restored branches after recent looting in KZN and Gauteng. Picture: Theo Jeptha/African News Agency (ANA).
DURBAN – First National Bank (FNB) has restored 80% of its branches that were affected by the July unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The bank said it had also restored nearly 70% of its ATMs that were decommissioned for repairs or replacement because of damage during the unrest.
FNB CEO Jacques Celliers, said the bank’s rebuilding efforts were better than expected, which was due to strong collaboration between local communities, industry, landlords, vendors and the bank’s teams on the ground.
“In keeping with our holistic approach to helping society, we also allocated R21.5 million to support social relief programmes and humanitarian organisations to provide essential care and support to people, businesses, schools and greater communities in the affected areas.
“Furthermore, we commend efforts by the public sector and other civil society partners who continue to play their part in alleviating hardship in the affected communities," said Celliers.
Lee-Anne van Zyl CEO of FNB Points of Presence, said in areas that were worst-affected, the bank would keep its temporary mobile branches and mobile ATMs that were deployed as an interim measure to enable access to essential financial services.
Van Zyl added that FNB had also redeployed staff from closed branches to the closest operating branches to service customer needs and increased volumes.
"In some areas, we rely on the reconstruction of malls or shopping complexes before restoring our bricks-and-mortar branches. We are, however, working closely with all stakeholders where this may be the case. Currently, we have temporary mobile branches at KwaMashu (Bridge City), Dalton, Edendale, Umzinto, Esikhawini and Esikhaleni Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal as well as Orange Farm (Eyethu) in Gauteng.
“Our aim is to ensure that communities can still access our in-branch services as we continue rebuilding some of the infrastructure. While our customers can always access most of our services via our digital channels such as the FNB App, Online and Cellphone banking, our branches and ATMs play a very important role in our relationships with local communities. We are delighted to have restored most of the affected infrastructure ahead of the festive season to improve access to financial services in communities," said Van Zyl.
The bank added that in total it had recovered 84 ATMs, and restored 15 branches.
List of branches:
407 Anton Lembede Street
Nongoma Branch
Port Edward Branch
Umgeni Junction Branch
Harding Branch
New Germany Branch
Mobeni Branch
Pine Crest Centre Branch
The Workshop Branch
Ekasi Branch
Hammarsdale Branch
KwaMnyandu SSO
Jozini Branch
Stanger Branch
Richmond Branch
List of ATM Sites:
Bulwer Garage
Laager Centre
Vistaview Centre
Boxer Centre Madadeni
Edendale Crossing
Boxer Osizweni
Engen New Germany
Engen Ngwelezane Convenience Centre
uShaka Square
Davenport Shopping Centre
Engen Bayview Motors
Reservoir Hills Shopping Centre
Richmond Plaza
Sasol Bellair Road
Amandla Supermarket
Shoprite Montclair
Nongoma Spar
Berea Centre
Caltex Cato Ridge
KwaMnyandu Shopping Centre
OK Empangeni Shopping Centre
Capital Centre
Queensmead Mall
Wartburg Mall
Waterloo Shopping Centre
BP Grand Motors
Sea Point Towers
Pine Walk Centre
THE MERCURY
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