The branches are in Bukit Batok and at Sun Plaza and White Sands; the dedicated OCBC Premier Banking Centre is at Parkway Parade

Singapore, 11 June 2020 – OCBC Bank announced it would reopen three branches and one dedicated OCBC Premier Banking Centre today due to the increased customer traffic at some branches after the end of the Circuit Breaker period on 2 June, bringing the total number of branches open islandwide to 27. The footfall at branches has increased by more than 20% on average. From 12 June, the open branches and OCBC Premier Banking Centre will be able to provide face-to-face wealth advisory service to customers who are not able to use virtual channels, though by appointment only.

The Bukit Batok, Sun Plaza and White Sands branches will reopen to support the increasing number of customers visiting the branches in Choa Chu Kang, Tampines and Jurong East, and at Northpoint City. The dedicated OCBC Premier Banking Centre at Parkway Parade will also reopen to provide banking services to the increasing number of OCBC Premier Banking customers visiting the Marine Parade branch for account openings, loan applications and cash transactions.

From tomorrow onwards, OCBC Bank will resume face-to-face wealth advisory services by appointment only for bancassurance, funds, structured investments and bonds at its 27 branches and 9 OCBC Premier Banking Centres. However, OCBC Bank customers are encouraged to use its virtual wealth advisory service, which includes the comprehensive Financial Needs Analysis.

The virtual wealth advisory service provided via secure video conferencing with an OCBC Bank financial advisor was launched on 18 April 2020 during the Circuit Breaker.

OCBC Bank employees will be required to wear face shields and face masks while rendering the in-person wealth advisory service. Customers are required to wear face masks. Other safe distancing measures such as SafeEntry QR code scanning, downloading and utilising the TraceTogether app, and one metre queue markings at branches are strictly enforced to keep employees and customers safe.

The branch banking services available to customers at all 27 branches and the dedicated OCBC Premier Banking Centre include: 

1. Cash transactions: Withdrawals and deposits; encashment of cheques or cashier’s orders
2. Account Servicing: Signatory updates; adding account holders; appointment of 3rd party mandates; update and activation of dormant accounts
3. Remittances and payments (including telegraphic transfers)
4. Loan applications and repayments
5. Purchase of cashiers orders and demand drafts
6. Replacement or change of ATM / debit card / security token
7. Bank account opening and closure
8. Safe deposit box services (available only at Ang Mo Kio, Bedok North, OCBC Centre, Sixth Avenue and Thomson)

Digital banking and virtual financial advisory encouraged

On 9 April 2020, OCBC Bank closed 20 of its branches and its two dedicated OCBC Premier Banking Centres to curb the spread of Covid-19 in order to protect the health and safety of its employees and customers.

More than 1,100 ATMs, which includes the ATM network shared with UOB, as well as digital banking solutions such as digital payments, continue to be fully operational.

Mr Sunny Quek, OCBC Bank’s Head of Consumer Financial Services, Singapore, said: “The health and safety of our colleagues and customers is our top priority. While all safe distancing measures are implemented in our branches, it can get crowded at times and we continue to encourage our customers to use our digital banking solutions and virtual wealth advisory service. We have seen an increase in footfall at our branches by more than 20% since 2 June, Day One of Singapore’s ‘Safe Re-opening’.

“Eight in 10 of our digitally-active customers already bank on their mobile devices, and nine in every 10 financial transactions with us are performed digitally. Customers can access wealth management products and apply for credit card applications, home loans and personal loans all via our digital banking platforms.

“Especially during these challenging times, where many are feeling the impact of Covid-19 on their finances, financial advisory has become increasingly pertinent to help customers close their financial gaps. Our recent OCBC Financial Impact Survey for Covid-19 indicated that more than half of the 1,000 adults surveyed are worried about their finances. While we understand that some customers still prefer to engage face-to-face with our bankers, we have made our financial advisory services available virtually via video conferencing, so customers can get timely financial and wealth advisory without having to come to a branch.”

Safe distancing measures continue at all operational branches

Safe distancing measures at branches are strictly enforced to keep staff and customers, especially seniors and the vulnerable, safe and comfortable. Staff perform temperature screenings and ensure that customers are practicing safe distancing of at least one metre in the queue and within the branch waiting area. All customers must scan the SafeEntry QR code before entering the branches, and download and use the TraceTogether app.

At branch locations where it is feasible, separate queues with seats for the elderly and pregnant are in place, so they can wait comfortably. Senior customers without mobile phones will be helped by branch employees with the Bank’s mobile tablets to perform the health declaration and SafeEntry QR code scanning.

The full list of 27 branches and one dedicated OCBC Premier Banking Centre in operation are: