by Nick Kolyohin
JERUSALEM, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Bank Hapoalim runs three mobile cars that work as mini offices with the ability to reach remote or particular places that require bank's special services during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Bank services are among the vital ones to people during the lockdown. Most of the branches of all banks have closed their doors during the crisis, and the few that still open, function under stringent precaution procedures.
An aging population that already had difficulties in reaching bank offices on regular days became suffering much more during the past two months of the novel coronavirus crisis.
While younger consumers get used to manage their bank accounts via smartphones or computers, the elderly still need the human assistance of bank operators.
That is the reason Bank Hapoalim started its mobile branch initiative in 2017 when the first van was equipped with a special apparatus, so it began to function as office on wheels.
The vans have security cameras and guards ready for any possible attempt to take advantage of the mini banks that sometimes drive to remote areas of Israel.
Each van bank office has a few workers with all the accessories and abilities of regular offices. ATM machines installed in the vans are available for consumers of all banks.
Doody Itshaki, manager of the mobile branch at Bank Hapoalim, said in an interview with Xinhua that the bank has three mobile offices providing solutions all around the country.
"During the coronavirus crisis, we added two additional emergency mobile branches that we set up to work in 48 hours," said Itshaki."The mobile branches are put in place to give special care for the elderly and populations that are far away from the banking services."
Margalit Mulad, a resident of Mishan Givatayim, senior living center, said in an interview with Xinhua that the mobile bank is coming every week to the lobby of their nursing home, and it is beneficial.
Older people in Israel are experiencing more loneliness and depression than usual due to the health precautions that leave them without close contact with their family members or friends.
So, in a way, even the mobile bank branches are filling a bit their lack of human connection, "it is easier to talk to people than to computers," said Mulad.
The mobile banks arrive at places where there is a demand for it, and any group of people or institution could call the bank and ask for the vans to arrive at their location.
When the van arrives, bank workers sterilize all of their equipment, open a field office, including tables, chairs, and so on. Each of the clients is checked for body temperature by the guard, and safe distance is strictly kept.
Representatives of the bank are wearing protecting gear which includes masks and gloves.
Karin Meyer, head of the financial growth center at Bank Hapoalim, told Xinhua that it is exciting to see how happy the elderly to see the bank coming to their yard. Enditem
