A viewer named Angie reached out asking: When will banks be able to open the doors for transactions, instead of just drive up windows?

There’s been no widespread order for banks to close. Any changes are happening on a company by company basis.

Early on during this outbreak, Chase became the first major national lender to shut down some 1,000 branches to reduce the spread of the virus. The rest of the company has stayed open, but with limited hours or services.

It’s a similar situation at other local banks.

ESL cut off nearly all business in house by closing down lobbies. You can still go into the bank, but for select services and by appointment only. ESL also extended limits to what you can do at the drive-thru.

KeyBank also closed all lobbies and some branches. You can do drive-thru or schedule appointments to meet with a banker on site.

News10NBC’s Brennan Somers asked KeyBank and ESL about specific dates for reopening lobbies for walk-in customers.

While neither has a firm date set, KeyBank’s Regional Communications Manager Matthew Pitts sent the following response to News10NBC:

“KeyBank remains committed to the health and safety of our clients and colleagues. Currently, most of our branch lobbies are open for appointments only. KeyBank’s branch drive-thrus and ATMs remain available. We will continue to comply with guidance from federal, state, and local governments and work closely with health experts and officials as states and localities begin to lift restrictions. We are prepared to respond as needed across our 15-state branch network as we know there are different needs in different areas. We understand this will be an evolving process. The safety of our clients and teammates continue to be our highest priority. As we make decisions to reopen branches, KeyBank teammates will continue to observe social distancing policies in place, and the branches will have professional cleaning on a regular basis.”

The Corporate Communications and Social Media Manager Rich Pulvino from ESL also sent a response:

“The health and well-being of our employees and customers continues to be at the forefront of all our decisions regarding our business operations. As an essential business, although our lobbies have been closed for general usage, we have been open and serving all our customer needs throughout the pandemic. Our branch lobbies are still open by appointment-only for select services and we continue to offer expanded services via our drive-thru teller lanes, as well as via phone, Live Chat, Online Banking and Mobile Banking. While we are discussing and planning the restoration of more services to our branch lobbies, we do not have a specific date at this time when this will occur. We do know that our opening process will be gradual as we continue to ensure proper social distancing guidelines from the County and State are followed, and the health and well-being of our employees and customers is protected to the best degree possible.”

Canandaigua National Bank & Trust told News10NBC that starting Monday, June 1, it will be extending banking hours and reintroducing Saturdays. The following message is posted on the company’s website:

The updated hours will be as follows:

CNB Community Bank Offices

Drive-up ONLY: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
No Drive-up at College Town (Saturday Locations*): 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sundays: All Locations Closed

*Saturday hours not available at Bloomfield, Canandaigua-Main, Mendon, Rochester-East Main, Rochester College Town.

Lobby Services** Monday – Saturday – By appointment only.

Identification will be required at branch to verify appointment. A mask is required for all Lobby Appointments. You will be asked to present your mask before entry. If you do not have a mask, your appointment will need to be rescheduled.

**account opening, wires, safe deposit access, loan closings, coin orders, large withdrawals, large deposits

https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/good-question-when-are-bank-lobbies-reopening/5744564/

— WHEC