Egypt’s central bank renews suspension of ATM and banking transaction fees until June 2021

Egypt’s central bank renews suspension of ATM and banking transaction fees until June 2021

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided on Monday to renew until June 2021 a number of procedures it has put in place since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The bank had renewed the measures in September, and they were expected to be lifted by the end of 2020.

The CBE's decision includes extending the suspension of fees on cash withdrawals from ATMs and exempting clients from fees and commissions on banking transactions in Egyptian pounds until June 2021.

The CBE will also bear the cost of cash withdrawal fees for pension payment cards, amounting to EGP 50 million, to ease the burden on pensioners. In addition, the bank is continuing to issue free-of-charge electronic portfolios and prepaid cards for individuals while cancelling fees and commissions on money transactions via mobile phone accounts.

Also, the CBE has instructed banks to exempt private-sector vendors from fees and commissions for transactions conducted via non-contact payment instruments, and to allow them to use their accounts without the need to enter a password to encourage them to increase their reliance on non-contact payment instruments and to maintain social distancing, as well as to promote the Tap and Go culture, particularly for