Egypt’s Central Bank Temporarily Raises Withdrawal Limits, Extends Bank Hours Amid Telecom Disruptions

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has announced a series of exceptional measures to mitigate the impact of ongoing telecommunications disruptions that have hindered regular banking operations across the country.

Effective immediately, the CBE has temporarily raised the daily cash withdrawal limit for individuals and businesses at bank branches to EGP 500,000—doubling the previous ceiling of EGP 250,000. The central bank explained that the adjustment is aimed at ensuring customers can access sufficient cash during this period of reduced digital connectivity. The increased limit will remain in place until communication networks are fully restored.

In a further move to support customers, the CBE has directed banks to extend working hours at select branches nationwide. Beginning Tuesday, 8 July 2025, and until further notice, designated branches will operate until 5 p.m. on weekdays (Sunday to Thursday), rather than the usual 3 p.m. Each bank will determine which locations will adopt the extended hours based on operational capacity and network considerations.

The central bank has also outlined specific operating schedules for branches in high-footfall locations:

• Mall-based branches will provide full banking services daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., including weekends. If such branches feature separate entrances from the street, they will observe the regular workweek hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.

• Branches in sports and social clubs will remain open until 9 p.m. every day, offering services to club members. Where these branches have independent street access, they will operate only during the official weekday hours.

• Hotel branches will function daily until 5 p.m., with the option for banks to extend currency exchange services from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For hotel branches with separate street-facing entrances, the 5 p.m. closing time from Sunday to Thursday will apply, with exchange services subject to each bank’s discretion.

The CBE emphasized that these temporary policies are intended to ease public access to financial services amid the current technical challenges. The measures also reflect the bank’s ongoing commitment to financial inclusion, operational resilience, and ensuring continuity of essential banking services in response to evolving national needs.