Egyptian banks and electronic payment companies are set to temporarily suspend some of their services during the early hours of October 30, 2026, as they update their systems to align with the country's winter time schedule. The suspension, which starts at 11 PM on October 29, is aimed at ensuring that the systems are compatible with the new local time. This move is a routine procedure that takes place with the bi-annual time change.
The services that will be affected by the temporary suspension include mobile banking applications, internet banking services, digital wallets, instant money transfer services, and some electronic payment services. Additionally, services provided by Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) may also be impacted. The duration of the suspension and the timing of the resumption of services may vary from one bank to another, based on their individual update schedules.
The Commercial International Bank (CIB) has announced that it will be suspending its banking services temporarily to carry out updates on its electronic systems in conjunction with the transition to winter time. The bank stated that the suspension will begin at 11 PM on October 29 and will continue until 3 AM on October 30, after which the services will resume.
In light of the impending time change, the CIB has advised its clients to verify the accuracy of the time and date on their mobile phones and smart devices. This can be done by activating automatic settings or manually adjusting them as needed. The bank emphasized the importance of this step to avoid potential technical issues when conducting transactions online or through mobile applications.
To minimize disruptions to their financial transactions during the system update period, clients are advised to take certain precautions. These include completing urgent transfers and payments before the suspension begins, ensuring that sufficient cash is available for withdrawals from ATMs during the update hours, and avoiding reliance on digital wallets or instant transfers during the suspension period.
Clients are also recommended to monitor official notifications from their banks or payment service providers to stay informed about the resumption of services. Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that the time and date settings on mobile devices are accurate to prevent complications with transactions, especially when receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) for verification purposes.
Following the implementation of the winter time schedule, the regular working hours of banks in Egypt will remain unchanged, operating from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with employee working hours spanning from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Clients are advised to review any official announcements from their banks regarding service hours and schedules after the time change.
Key points
- Egyptian banks to suspend services on Oct 29-30, 2026, for system updates and winter time adjustment.
- Affected services include mobile banking, internet banking, and electronic payment services.
- Clients advised to take precautions to avoid disruptions to financial transactions during the suspension period.
