Branch Operations: Bank Opening Procedures
2/6/2017 - By Susann Kunz, CAFP
By Susann Kunz, CAFP
While performing branch reviews for our financial institution clients, I have come across several different procedures that bank employees use to access the bank's premises at the beginning of the day. The process of opening (and closing) the bank building can be the most vulnerable part of the workday for branch employees.
At least two employees should be involved in the opening and closing procedures. To open, one employee should be entering the building as another employee watches from the time he or she steps out of the vehicle until inside the building. Once it has been established that it is safe for the second person to enter, the first employee should be watching the second person from vehicle to door.
Anyone who is involved in the opening procedures should have a key to the building. In the event that the first person has either entered the building but the “all-clear” signal is not displayed or something suspicious or disruptive occurred during the initial entry, the observing employee must have a key to the building to provide to law enforcement. Not all employees must have premise code access, but employees who could ever be involved in opening should have a key.
Most important: Anyone who could be involved in opening/closing procedures needs to know what to do if things go awry, especially when to call law enforcement.
It is easy to become complacent about something we do day after day, including opening a financial institution for business. Keep your employees safe by ensuring that security procedures are taken seriously.
If you have any questions about this or other branch operating procedures, email me or any member of our Financial Institutions Consulting Team.
About the Author | Susann Kunz
Susann is a consultant in the Financial Institutions Advisory Group at Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund. Susann joined Saltmarsh in May 2005 after working in the banking industry since 1996 in operations, compliance, lending, and internal auditing. As a result, she brings significant experience to our Financial Institution Advisory Group.
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