Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), as of today, October 9, announced its system transition plan to a robust suite of core banking application systems which is set to cause a temporal shutdown to its banking system this weekend.
In a statement made available via a press release, the bank expressed that the disruption is part of its transition process from its current core banking application to a new and robust suite of core banking applications.
The process which is set to commence on Friday, October 11, is set to cause disruptions to its banking activities. The bank also made it known that there will be an early closure of services across its branches nationwide on Friday.
Banking activities in GTBank nationwide are set to close by 12:00 pm on Friday, October 11 and reopen by 9:00 am on Monday, October 14.
The press reads, “As part of our commitment to bringing meaningful improvements to the lives of our customers, we will begin the transition from our current Core Banking Applications to a new and robust suite of Finacle Core Banking Application System on Friday, 11th of October 2024,” the statement reads.
On another end, the bank also announced that there will be disruptions to its digital banking system for 11 hours between 10:00 pm, Sunday, October 13th and 9:00 am, Monday, October 14th. According to the bank, the disruption is part of its effort to enhance better customer service provision and achieve better interactions.
“Additionally, there will be service disruptions on our digital banking channels for 11 hours, specifically between 10:00 pm on Sunday, October 13th and 9:00 am on Monday, October 14th. This transition will allow us drive digital transformation to achieve insights-driven and frictionless interactions with all our customers,” the statement reads.
The bank likewise added that although digital services will be made available during system upgrading, it will only be limited to transfers, bill payments, airtime and data purchases.
Zenith and Access Bank had also earlier announced a temporal shutdown to their digital banking system during the course of this weekend while Sterling Bank had its system upgrade during the early days of September.
READ ALSO: Access Bank To shut Down For Service Upgrade
What This Means for GTBank Customers
Following the announcement by GTBank on its impending shutdown of activities, customers were advised to make alternative plans for their banking transactions during the system transition period.
It is advisable that GTBank Customers schedule their plans to execute planned transactions before the closure of the bank on Friday.
So as to avoid experiencing several forms of digital banking issues during this system transition period, customers are advised to avoid using the bank’s digital services between 12:00 pm on Friday, October 11 and 9:00 am on Monday, October 14.
More digital banking service disruption looms
Nigerian bank customers are set to witness more service disruptions in the coming weeks and months as the financial institutions are embarking on system upgrades to improve their operational efficiency and enhance customer experience.
While a few of the banks have already made the switch with the attendant issues of customers not being able to transact or access their funds, sources from the banking industry said more banks are in the process of starting their core banking system migration as they all race to strengthen their technology infrastructure.
As this has been rumoured to be a directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), it could also mean that the banks were only trying to get better at their services.