NUBE has advised the banks by letter dated 23.03.20 to temporarily close down their collection departments because this is not the time to harass customers to repay their loan instalments. Especially when the customers are already suffering both mentally and financially from this serious pandemic crisis.

While some banks have reduced the workforce and working from home others refuse to comply. Now that BNM has given the moratorium all Banks should suspend their Collection Department.

A good example is Maybank that has completely suspended its collection operations.

Maybank has been functioning in a very sensible manner to protect the interests of both workers and the customers from the beginning of Covid19 pandemic crisis. We record our sincere appreciation to Maybank and call upon all other banks to follow Maybank's administrative ethics.

Banks must also be mindful that their immediate concern should not be the rise in NPL at this critical juncture, but the rapid rise of Covid-19 victims.

We do not want the hardwork of the front liners who are risking their lives during this period to be blemished by the backroom Collection Department who are troubling customers at this point of time.

NUBE requests its members to report to NUBE officials if anyone of our members are forced to call customers to remind them of their arrears in instalments, during these trying times.

NUBE extends sincere appreciation to all members of NUBE and Bank workers who are serving the public in the current situation since banking sector is essential services.