Media Statement

Port of Spain, Trinidad, Monday March 23, 2020: Effective March 25, 2020, Republic Bank will be implementing several changes to its branch operations to safeguard the well-being of its clients and staff amid ongoing Covid-19 concerns. These changes are outlined below:

1. Branches
   The following branches will remain open to the public:
   Arima, Auchenskeoch (Tobago), Centre City, Couva, Ellerslie, Gulf View, High Street, Independence Square, Park Street, Penal, Princes Town, Pt. Fortin, Rio Claro, San Juan Branch (East), Sangre Grande, South Park, Trincity, Tunapuna, West Mall and Woodbrook.
   
   All other branches and agencies will be closed to the public until further notice.


2. Revised Opening hours
   The following opening hours will now be applicable to all branches open to the public:
   Ellerslie, Gulf View, South Park, Trincity, West Mall:
   Monday to Friday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
   
   All Other Branches:
   Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 2:00pm


3. Additional Safety Measures
   (i) Priority Banking for the elderly, differently abled and public assistance clients
   
   1. From March 25 to April 3, 2020, the first hour of each day will be solely dedicated to providing banking services to the elderly, differently abled and public assistance clients.
   
   
   2. Outside of that first hour, the elderly and differently abled clients will also be provided with a dedicated teller access and will be afforded preferential service to ensure an accelerated turnaround time
   
   
   (ii) Social Distancing
   To ensure all clients are afforded a safe environment in which to conduct their banking services, the following measures will be implemented:
   
   1. The number of clients allowed inside the branch at any one time will be restricted based on the size of the banking hall.
   
   
   2. All non-cash services (including requests for moratoriums and debt restructuring) can now be initiated via email at email@rfhl.com. Clients should include their home branch in the Subject of the email. This process applies to clients of branches open and closed to the public. Please note that Republic will NOT send clients any email requiring them to respond sharing any confidential banking details.
   
   
   3. To make it easier to access our online and mobile banking services, clients are asked to follow the usual registration process up to and including printing and signing of the registration form. Once signed, during this period the Bank will accept an email with an image of the signed registration form and copies of any supporting documents. Please ensure the legibility of the form. A service agent of the Bank will contact the client to confirm ONLY that the form was submitted electronically.
   
   
   4. Clients who require access to safety deposit lockers at closed branches will be required to email the above address or contact the nearest open branch to make arrangements.
   
   
   (iii) Adjustment to services offered
   
   1. There will be a reduction to in-branch services offered at all open branches. Clients are invited to check with their branch before visiting but preferably to make use of our electronic channels for all non-cash transactions.
   
   
   2. All branches and units remain accessible by phone (625-4411 or any number that clients are accustomed using)
   
   
   3. ATM and Night Safe services at all branches (open and closed) will continue to be provided. Night Safe bags will be provided to all clients free of charge.
   
   
   4. All offsite ATMs will continue to be available
   
   
   (iv) Enhanced sanitization efforts
   To ensure a safe environment for clients and staff we continue with our program of daily deep cleaning and sanitization of all locations. We will also be providing portable sinks at the entrances to all branches that are open to the public.

The Bank continues to encourage clients to visit our COVID19 update page at https://www.republictt.com/covid19 for the latest developments and to continue utilizing electronic and digital banking services as an alternative to visiting a branch location.