Banks Issue Guidance to Middle East Staff Amid Conflict
With the Middle East conflict extending to major financial hubs, various banks have issued guidance to staff on how to respond to the ongoing situation.
Following attacks by the US and Israel, Iran has made retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, including cities housing major financial centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The situation remains fluid with the conflict continuing to expand to new locations, including Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
Companies with a presence in the region are issuing their own guidance to workers on how to respond.
Work From Home
In the financial sector, Standard Chartered advised staff to postpone travel plans to the Middle East and told employees on the ground to shelter in place until further notice.
Bank of Singapore's head of risk management for the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center) branch, Ang Wee Khoon, told staff to work from home until further notice, adding that they and their family members have been safely accounted for with no reported injuries.
According to a «Reuters» report citing unnamed sources, Citigroup and J.P. Morgan have also instructed most workers across the region to work from home.
«The safety of our employees is our number one priority, and we are continuing to take measures to help keep our employees and their families safe. We are continuing to serve our clients and we have robust contingency and resilience plans in place for that purpose,» Citi said in a statement.
