Equity Bank in Yei has reduced its working days from six to two after a lack of customers in the area, bank officials told Radio Tamazuj, which has left clients frustrated over poor customer service.

Recent insecurity in Yei has forced many of the bank’s clients to flee to Uganda. The bank will operate only on Mondays and Fridays until there are more customers in the area.

An Equity Bank official said the company has had a high amount of loan defaults due to people fleeing the country. High prices of fuel and a poor business environment are also affecting the bank’s bottom line, he said, and said the government should restore peace before more businesses close down their services.

Clients of Equity Bank in Yei have been frustrated with the bank’s limited services.

“This is my money which I have deposited into the bank for safety but if you want to withdraw, the bank officials don’t have customer care skills,” one customer said on the condition of anonymity. “They say there is no money for you in the bank and to come tomorrow. But if you come the following day they don’t attend to you, as if the money belongs to them,”

The customer said he has closed down his account because of the poor customer service.

“We are keeping our money at home despite the ongoing insecurity in the area.”