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Shorter Bank Hours? Office Workers Voice Frustration

Go Hui-gyeong

Published : Sep 30, 2026 8:41 AM

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Many of you probably find it hard to carve out time to visit a bank on weekdays, right?

Well, starting next year, the hours you can use bank counters might become even shorter than they are now.

Recently, labor and management in the financial sector provisionally agreed on a negotiation proposal that includes a 3 percent wage hike and a 30-minute reduction in business hours.

If the tentative agreement is finalized, bank branches will open at 9:30 AM starting next April, which is 30 minutes later than now.

Since the closing time will remain at 4:00 PM, the time available for customers to use bank counters will decrease by 30 minutes a day.

As the news spread, complaints poured in, with people saying, "Branches are already closing down so we have to wait a long time as it is, what are we supposed to do if they even shorten business hours?" and "Office workers have to use half-day or full-day leaves just to visit a bank once."

On the other hand, some opinions suggested that shortening the hours by 30 minutes wouldn't be a major inconvenience since most tasks can now be handled via mobile.

(Photo Source: Online Community)