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Banks asking customers to not enter banks, but stress that services remain available

Many banks in Arkansas began closing or limiting access to their lobbies and other facility spaces on Mar. 17.
Credit: Talk Business and Politics

ARKANSAS, USA — The Arkansas Bankers Association is asking bank customers to use drive-thru and ATM’s as many banks in the state begin to close or limit facilities to walk-in traffic as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19. 

However, the association stressed that bank services will remain available.

“As the COVID-19 situation evolves, Arkansas banks are taking aggressive steps to safeguard the health and safety of their customers, staff, and communities while ensuring the delivery of important financial services such as money and credit availability,” noted a statement from the association.

There were 91 bank institutions in Arkansas as of Sept. 30, 2019, below the 130 at the end of 2010, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). 

Assets of all Arkansas banks as of Sept. 30 was $112.076 billion, up 92.5% from the $58.206 billion at the end of 2010. 

Third-quarter data is the latest available from the FDIC. The industry also employs 27,000 people in the state, according to the ABA.

Many banks in Arkansas began closing or limiting access to their lobbies and other facility spaces on March 17, the ABA noted. 

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Banks are asking customers that if a “personal or banker specific” service is needed to call the bank first.

“This precaution is to ensure that small communities do not lose an entire bank branch if bank staff are exposed via lobby traffic and to assist slowing the virus down to help medical health workers,” noted the association, which recently postponed its annual convention.

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