StanChart's 88th Taiwan branch offers year-round service

Follows growing number of lenders extending their banking hours in select branches.

he Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Ltd. recently opened its 88th branch here, which offers year-round service and extends normal business time to 9:30 p.m. from the existing 3:30 p.m. Such operating model is believed the first of its kind among foreign banks in Taiwan.

S. N. Kao, president of the bank, indicated that the new branch is located in a hectic commercial area surrounding the MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Station and the Sogo Pacific Department Store, which usually attracts massive shoppers, not to mention the relatively well-off residents. Accordingly, Kao said it`s necessary for the branch to extend its service hours for both shoppers and residents in the area.

Actually the bank`s branch at Tienmu, nearby Dayeh Takashimaya Department Store, another popular shopping area in Taipei, has already offered extra service hours during weekends and holidays, Kao added.

In addition to normal operating hours during the weekdays, the Tienmu branch opens from 11:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Unexpectedly, the average number of accounts opened on Saturdays and Sundays was even higher than recorded on weekdays by 40%-50%, Kao disclosed.

View the full story in CENS.