The Central Bank of Egypt has announced that all banks operating in Egypt will be closed on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in observance of Armed Forces Day. This public holiday commemorates the anniversary of Egypt's victory in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The decision was made to give employees and citizens a day off to celebrate this significant national event.
According to the Central Bank, the closure of banks on October 8 is in lieu of Tuesday, October 6, 2026. This adjustment allows for a long weekend for bank employees and customers. The bank has ensured that essential banking services will continue to be available through electronic channels and ATMs during the holiday period.
The Central Bank's decision is part of its role in regulating working hours in the banking sector during official holidays. Banks will resume normal operations on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The move aims to provide a balance between work and leisure time for employees while ensuring that banking services remain accessible to customers.
The Egyptian banking sector has been working to improve its services and infrastructure in recent years. Recent data shows that the value of transactions through the instant payment network reached 4.33 trillion pounds by the end of the second quarter of 2026. This indicates a growing trend towards digital banking and online transactions.
The Central Bank has also been working to maintain economic stability and manage foreign exchange reserves. The bank's governor has emphasized the importance of maintaining the independence of central banks and coordinating monetary and fiscal policies. Egypt's foreign exchange reserves have been steadily increasing, reaching a high of 31.2 billion dollars.
The decision to close banks on October 8 is a one-off event and not a regular occurrence. The Central Bank has assured that all banking services will be available through electronic channels and ATMs during the holiday period. This will enable customers to conduct transactions and access their accounts as usual.
The closure of banks on Armed Forces Day is a national holiday in Egypt, and many government offices and private businesses will also be closed. The holiday is an opportunity for Egyptians to come together and celebrate their country's military achievements and national pride.
Key points
- The Central Bank of Egypt has announced that banks will be closed on October 8, 2026, in observance of Armed Forces Day.
- The closure of banks is in lieu of Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and banks will resume normal operations on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
- Essential banking services will continue to be available through electronic channels and ATMs during the holiday period.
