Press Releases
Growing Banking Services Offered to People with Disabilities During 2022
To enhance financial inclusion and care to offer customers with special needs access to banking and financial services, Central Bank of Kuwait marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed annually on December 3.
A statement by the CBK noted that the number of bank branches equipped to serve people with special needs reached 62 branches during the 9-month period of 2022. Meanwhile, the number of employees, who interpret sign language in those branches increased by 28% to reach 359 employees, and the number of ATMs installed accessible to people with special needs increased to 66.
The CBK issued in mid-2015 its instructions regarding banking services provided by Kuwaiti banks to people with special needs to provide them with clear and easy access to banking and financial services.
The said instructions require banks to select at least one branch in each governorate in the State of Kuwait to provide banking services for people with special needs beside its normal activities, and allocate at least one ATM equipped with voice guidance and a Braille keyboard. A bank is also required to train some of its employees in sign language, or appoint specialists in this language in the branch. The instructions also require banks to provide easy access for the customers using wheelchairs to ATMs. In addition, account statements and notifications for visually impaired customers should be printed in Braille. Modern and secure technological programs such as screen readers, electronic fingerprints, and mobile phone programs should be available to help them perform banking transactions, considering the security requirements in managing the account, and informing customers with special needs, through the appropriate means of communication, of all rights, obligations, risks and the other requirements before providing them with any banking services.
The CBK concluded its statement by affirming its care and keenness to ensure that customers with special needs access all financial and banking services that suit their needs and protect their rights, stressing on its vigorous monitoring of the Kuwaiti banks’ compliance with instructions issued in this regard.
