Customers of the Sedona branch of Bank of America were greeted for more than a week with a message that it — along with many others across the nation — was temporarily closed.
Bank of America corporate spokeswoman Britney Sheehan said that as of press time the Sedona branch was expected to reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
“We continue to take several steps to support our clients and employees during the health crisis, including some temporary financial center closures,” she said.
Bank of America has approximately 125 banks branches in Arizona and temporary financial center closures have occurred for three specific reasons. They include:
■ Areas where banks see fewer visits.
■ Where a smaller location may be close to a larger location that is better able to accommodate physical distancing.
■ When bank staffing is not sufficient to remain open.
“When a center closes we work to reopen it as soon as possible,” Sheehan said.
She added that customers always have the ability to manage many of their financial needs through the ATM network, which will remain available, as well as through the bank’s mobile banking and online at bankofamerica.com. She encourages customers to check the bank’s branch locator on the website to ensure it’s open before proceeding to that particular branch.
“We appreciate our clients’ understanding and flexibility during these unprecedented times,” she said. “There may be multiple reasons why a center closes and we would not disclose the specifics. As far as future closures, the situation remains fluid. With all the variables previously mentioned, it is reasonable to expect that centers may close from time to time so we can keep our clients and employees safe.”
A statement on the bank’s website reads, “We remain committed to supporting you with your financial needs during the [COVID-19] health crisis. Of course, nothing is more important than your health and safety, and we have taken multiple steps to minimize health risks, based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“These steps we have taken in our financial centers include enhancing the daily cleaning procedures, implementing plastic screens and distancing markers, following local restrictions on the number of clients that can enter a financial center at one time, and requiring our employees to wear masks. In addition, we are requiring clients wear masks when visiting our financial centers.”
