The Bank of Cabo Verde, through the communiqué issued yesterday, May 6, informs that it has suggested to commercial banks to advise their clients to use digital channels to perform banking operations, in compliance with the guidelines of social distancing and preventive isolation. However, these guidelines have not prevented crowds of people outside commercial banks, despite extending the operating hours to 3 p.m.

In this Communiqué, BCV establishes new rules for public attendance, during the state of emergency and until the lifting of restrictive circulation measures.

Click here to read the full communiqué.

Thus, in the light of the Central Bank's recommendations, Caixa reinforces and communicates the following to its clients:

1. They should only go to the branches in case of extreme necessity
2. They should prioritize Caixa’s digital channels, and Branch visits should be limited to services that cannot be provided via digital channels, in particular: 
   
   • Sending and receiving fast money transfers made through Western Union, as well as deposits into the client's account;
   • Depositing money into a different account when the client does not have a bank card or digital channels of internet banking (Homebanking) to transfer the respective amount, they should only go to the bank in case of extreme urgency;
3. Cash withdrawals at counters and branches can only be made for amounts exceeding 20,000 ECV (twenty thousand escudos), except for customers without a bank card (ATM card);
4. Avoid going to the branches to make transactions on accounts other than their own;
5. Requests for moratory and new credits should preferably be made through the digital channels (e-mail);
6. Interbank fees for transactions made through internet banking shall be suspended during the state of emergency, as long as restrictive circulation measures remain in force, in order to encourage the use of digital channels;
7. The number of daily attendance per branch will be limited. To reinforce this, the maximum number of passwords will be distributed in the morning;
8. Account balances up to 3,000 ECV (three thousand escudos) must be withdrawn at once by customers who do not possess bank cards;
9. Customers will be requested to go to Caixa branches to wait in the adjacent areas and keep a distance of at least 2 (two) meters from each other. If necessary, resort to the police authorities to enforce this and other instructions aiming to diminish the risk of contagion from COVID-19;

We are organizing internally in order to speed up customer service and reduce waiting time as much as possible.

We take this opportunity to highlight the Good Practices for the sector, thus recommending their adoption: 

COVID-19 Good Practices for Banking Services:

• Privilege the use of digital or telephone means to perform banking operations or speak to your Account Manager;
• Day-to-day operations can be performed with all safety and comfort through the Homebanking service or the bank's App;
• Resort to visit the branches only in case of absolute necessity, especially if you are part of a risk group (elderly, people with chronic diseases or weakened immune system);
• In case of impossibility to use the digital devices to make transfers, pay for services or top-up the mobile phone, use the ATM machines, minimizing personal contacts;
• Avoid handling cash and preferably pay by card or through internet banking;
• A greater use of digital devices and remote services hiring also implies an increase in terms of security;
• Limiting the number of clients at the branches, to avoid concentration of people.

We are always by your side!

We appreciate your trust and understanding,

#togetherinprevention