Palestine Monetary Authority Publishes “Making Banks and Financial Institutions Accessible to the Physically Handicapped Instructions”

Ramallah - Palestine Monetary Authority publishes “Making Banks and Financial Institutions Accessible to the Physically Handicapped Instructions”. The purpose of the instructions is to ensure that the physically handicapped bank clients can equally obtain banking services and credit facilities. The banks are to implement such instructions as of June 12, 2017 at new branches and as of January 1, 2018 at existing buildings. 

His Excellency Mr. Azzam Shawwa, the Governor of Palestine Monetary Authority, said the instructions were among the efforts of PMA to ensure the objectives of financial inclusion in Palestine including ensuring that all have access to banking services; especially disabled people, and to equally protect the rights of disabled people wherever they are and to facilitate their access to the banking services and easily and privately manage their banking affairs and obtain priority in receiving banking services.      

The “Making Banks and Financial Institutions Accessible to the Physically Handicapped Instructions” require giving disabled clients ATM cards/ credit cards or checkbooks upon request and to furnish them with deposit boxes that meet their needs. Also, ensure availability of ATMs that use Arabic language and use Braille buttons and to develop banks’ websites to meet the needs of disabled clients as well as SMS services. Moreover, the Instructions require banks to ensure architectural specifications that meet disabled clients needs including at entrances to banks and the car parks of the banks.