The Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (ABEF) has instructed bank CEOs to begin organizing shifts for Saturday customer service in Algeria. This directive, issued via official correspondence No. 448/2026 on June 17, 2026, in Algiers, mandates banks to open from 09:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays. These new arrangements are scheduled to come into effect starting July 10, 2026, marking a significant change in banking operations across the country. The decision specifically outlines that it was decided to establish bank shifts every Saturday, operating from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, for customer service.
Official Directive Issued
The correspondence was addressed to the "General Managers of Banks" and bore the subject line "Regarding the Implementation of Saturday Shifts." This specific address and subject line show the formal and direct nature of the instruction. The directive, an official instruction to bank leaders, outlined the forthcoming changes to banking hours, detailing the new operational requirements.
Delegate General Manager Rachid Belaid signed the correspondence, formalizing the instruction from the Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (ABEF) to initiate Saturday operations. His signature officially authorized the directive, making it a binding requirement for all banking institutions under the ABEF's purview. The article detailing these developments was published on June 18, 2026, bringing this important regulatory update to public attention.
Operational Reorganization Details
Banks are instructed to establish shifts every Saturday, operating from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, to accommodate customer needs. This measure requires financial institutions to reorganize employee working hours to accommodate these new shifts. The Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (ABEF) specified that this reorganization must ensure compliance with the legal weekly working hours for staff, emphasizing the importance of adhering to labor regulations while implementing the new schedule.
The ABEF further indicated that banks can implement this reorganization by reducing four working hours during Thursday. This option provides a clear pathway for institutions to adjust their schedules without increasing the total weekly working hours for employees. Alternatively, institutions may adopt any other organizational format, provided it guarantees the preservation of legal working hours for employees. This flexibility allows banks to tailor their internal arrangements to best suit their operational models. This directive aligns with Law No. 90-11, dated April 21, 1990, and its subsequent amendments and supplements, which govern labor regulations in Algeria. The aim is to integrate Saturday operations while maintaining adherence to established labor laws, ensuring a smooth transition for both institutions and their employees.
Broader Economic Context
The Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (ABEF) received correspondence from the Bank of Algeria, detailing the objective to improve citizens' access to banking services and facilitate their financial transactions. This directive aligns with broader economic adjustments in the country, reflecting a concerted effort to enhance financial accessibility and efficiency. Last year, ports began year-round operation by order of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, a measure aimed at preventing container buildup and disruptions to economic activity. This earlier decision set a precedent for extended operational hours in other key sectors, demonstrating a national commitment to optimizing economic infrastructure.
Economic operators had previously advocated for the extension of working hours to include banks, emphasizing the need for financial institutions to align with the expanded schedules of other commercial services. These requests noted a critical gap where extended operational hours in sectors like ports were not fully supported by corresponding banking services. This move by the ABEF addresses those long-standing requests from the economic community, aiming to create a more integrated and responsive economic environment.
Goals and Impact
The organizational measures are intended to ensure the continuity of public banking services, according to the directive issued by the ABEF. These changes also aim to improve the quality of banking services available to customers, providing them with more opportunities to conduct their financial affairs. The implementation of Saturday shifts is expected to significantly enhance customer convenience and streamline financial transactions for the public, contributing to a more efficient banking sector.
