More opting for e-banking

The right way to go: Bank customers using the ATM machines at Suria KLCC.

PETALING JAYA: In the path towards efficiency and cost savings, banks across the nation are intensely promoting electronic transactions.

The campaigns are so successful that Bank Negara’s most recent statistics showed that as many as 73.1% of the Malaysian population were already using Internet banking, up from just 9.8% in 2005.

In fact, bank branches are now taking it to the next level, by only allowing withdrawals and deposits above RM5,000 over the counter.

Anything below should be done at the cash deposit and the automated teller machines (ATMs).

A customer service representative of a bank in Phileo Damansara here said yesterday that starting from May 1, company account holders will be charged RM5 for over-the-counter transactions.

An A4-size announcement dated Dec 1 last year could be spotted above the queue number machine encou­raging customers to make deposits or withdrawals below RM10,000 via ATM machines.

In George Town, several banks have put up notices advising custo­mers to use the cash deposit machines if they want to deposit less than RM5,000.

A check at a bank in Komtar showed the notice placed at the information counter stating the new ruling in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese.

A staff member said the policy was implemented last month but custo­mers could still head to the counters for help if they had problems at the cash deposit machines.

Customers at a bank in Sungai Pinang were also required to adhere to such a ruling, which, according to an employee, was introduced late last year.

The new rules have sparked a heated debate on social media, with some complaining that they are restrictive and inconvenient.

“What about the elderly who may be unaccustomed to using ATMs? Isn’t it inconvenient?” Ng Leh Kean asked in a Facebook comment.

Another user, Michelle Kok, questioned how illiterate people were supposed to do their banking transactions.

A local bank, when contacted, reassured customers that the new rules do not apply to senior citizens and people with disabilities.

“They are welcome to perform any banking transactions at our counters regardless of the amount,” the spokesman said.