Banking safely with Ithala during the Covid-19 crisis

The future may seem precarious now, but there are systems in place to protect the funds in your account and ensure that your money is properly managed.

“Ithala provides ongoing surveillance of branches through a daily incident management report. With the implementation of certain safety measures at our branches and head office, our customers and employees will continue to be safe,” said Dr. Thulani Vilakazi, CEO of Ithala SOC Limited.

According to Ithala SOC Limited whose mandate is to serve ordinary South Africans and help them to manage their money and create wealth, there are some valuable tips to secure your banking and transactions during this period of confinement.

• Pay with your card as many times as possible. You want to avoid receiving money because you do not know who has been exposed to notes previously. If you must deal with cash, such as when supporting your local small business or paying for transport services, keep a small bottle of hand sanitiser available to use both before and after you handle cash.

• When swiping, do not let anyone touch your card. If somebody else must handle your card, wash or disinfect your hands and the card before and after use. If you are required to enter your PIN, wash and sanitize your hands before and after.

• When withdrawing money from an ATM, keep a small bottle of hand sanitiser available to use both before and after you use an ATM. Ithala has made all efforts to deploy sanitizers at its ATMs, however, availability at all sites cannot be guaranteed as some of the sites are remote and could be vandalised, stolen, or run out. We implore our customers to take personal responsibility for their safety and have a personal hand sanitizer for use before and after they use ATMs.

• SMS reminders encouraging clients to sanitize before and after using an ATM will also be sent to ATM clients.

“While we encourage you to avoid crowds, maintaining social distancing, and use our digital self-service platforms, we understand this is not always possible. As your well-being continues to be one of our most important priorities, in this capacity we have implemented strict cleaning and hygiene protocols in all our branches, facilities, and public areas,” said Vilakazi. 

• We deployed hand sanitizers containing 70% alcohol at the entrances and strategic locations of our branches and Head Office. 

• We have increased the quantity and cycles of replenishment of consumable hygienic products in our branches. 

• We have increased the number of disinfectants used for improved office cleaning, door handles, escalators, etc., and increased the frequency of office cleaning. 

• We have set up ad-hoc and specialist cleaning protocols for high impact areas.

• We have developed pandemic preparedness plans should isolation and decontamination be required. All efforts are made to minimise service disruptions while ensuring the safety of our customers. 

• In cases where there are confirmed covid-19 positive cases in our branches, we close for disinfection and deep cleaning. Clients from affected branches are advised of the temporary closures and nearest branches and alternative channels to use for transacting.

• We have installed protective screens at branches (sales consultants’ cubicles and reception areas branch and head office)

• Our staff has been provided with the tools and information to minimize the risk of transmission. All our branches and Head Office maintain temperature screening registers and may request and encourage customers who present high fever to get tested. 

Our branches open Monday to Friday from 8h30 am to 3h30 pm, Saturday from 9h00 am to 11h00 pm while Pine Walk and Mega City branch open from 9:00 am to 13h00. All branches are closed on Sundays. 

If you have any questions relating to our COVID-19 safety and hygiene protocols or need help with any of our online banking tools, call us on 0801 33 11 30.

Ithala SOC Limited is the only state-owned entity that provides full banking and insurance services; is already fully regulated by the South African Reserve Bank and other banking industry regulators, and is fully committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations.

A current distribution network of 38 branches in KZN provides convenient transacting facilities. Ithala offers a comprehensive portfolio of corporate and personal banking solutions.

For more information visit www.myithala.co.za, call 031 366 2500. Follow us on Facebook @MyIthala, Twitter @MyIthala, Instagram @MyIthala, or LinkedIn Ithala SOC Limited.