CBE: Banking Sector Maintains its Momentum in Providing Banking Services and Products to Differently-abled Customers

Within the framework of the Central Bank of Egypt’s proactive role to facilitate accessibility to banking services and products for the differently-abled citizens, and in accordance with Egypt’s Vision 2030 to achieve sustainable development, operating banks in the Egyptian market have organized a number of activities and events that aimed at improving financial literacy, as well as promoting banking services and products. The crafted activities and events came as part of the financial inclusion Day for “Persons of Determination”, held in December every year by the CBE, in synchronization with the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities - IDPD”.

For this occasion, and in compliance with the CBE’s regulations issued on the 30^th of September 2021, to avail access to financial banking products and services, the banking sector has productively provided the necessary support for adapting the infrastructure to suit differently-abled customers. Hence, the number of branches equipped to serve this segment of customers had increased to 848 branches, which is equivalent to 18% of the total branches network. On the other hand, ATMs with features supporting persons of determination reached 4950 machines, representing 22% of the total number of ATMs distributed throughout governorates, and surmounting the ratio stipulated by the CBE (10%).

Additionally, a total of 7060 banking cadres, have been trained on sign language to ensure easy handling of hearing and speech impaired customers, while issuing the account opening forms in Braille, andaccepting the signature stamps and fingerprint as an alternative to the regular signature across all banking procedures.

Building on the abovementioned, banks have set up a single window system for differently-abled customers to ensure their access to banking services swiftly and conveniently. Furthermore, various technological and digital solutions have been implemented, while amending the internal policies and procedures to suitably cater for the differently-abled customers’ needs, in accordance to the international best practices.

As part of the CBE’s strategic partnership with ministries and relevant entities, a number of banks hosted “Diarna” exhibition to provide differently-abled exhibitors the opportunity to display their handicraft and artwork products at their headquarters and main premises, under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Moreover, banks were able to reach for the differently-abled customers’ efficiently in Egyptian governorates and remote areas, in cooperation with the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) and civil society organizations.

These efforts have led to doubling in the number differently-abled banks’ customers during 2023. CBE reaffirms its commitment to promote and support financial inclusion for all society segments, in collaboration with all the relevant parties and within the framework of Egypt’s Vision 2030.