BSP: We’re doing out best to ensure protocols are followed

PAPUA New Guinea’s largest bank Bank South Pacific (BSP) Financial Group Ltd says it is doing its best to manage its health and safety protocols in light of concerns about overcrowding and long queues at its branches.
Retail group general manager Daniel Faunt said its strategies and policies ensured the Coronavirus (Covid-19) protocols were implemented among its staff and customers.
He said the use of face masks was mandatory inside its buildings.
Faunt said BSP also managed queues outside the branch by encouraging customers to observe all Covid-19 measures, adding that the onus was on customers to adhere to these measures.
“Recognising that this is a peak period for school fee payments, we selected branches to open on Saturdays beginning Jan 22 to manage the increased traffic to the branches,” he said.
Faunt said Saturday banking would run for six Saturdays and end on Feb 26 at the bank’s 16 main branches: Alotau, Goroka, Kimbe, Kiunga, Kokopo, Kundiawa, Lae Top Town, Madang, Popondetta, Tari, Wabag, Waigani Banking Centre, Wewak, Buka, Mt Hagen and Banz Hybrid sub-branch.
“Customers can deposit school fees as well as apply for personal loans,” he said.
Faunt said other avenues to limit in-person contact at banks for payments and other transactions was through BSP’s Mobile Banking and online services.