March 25: The regular operation of banks and financial institutions was affected on Tuesday due to the lockdown announced by the government.

According to the BFI operators, some banks provided limited services through selected branches while most of the branches remained shut across the country.

Outside the Kathmandu valley, the district administration offices allowed BFIs to operate only one branch each. Therefore, each of the banks and financial institutions opened only one branch each.

President of Nepal Bankers’ Association Bhuvan Dahal said that the provincial governments did not allow them to operate in full strength outside the capital city.

According to Dahal, commercial banks couldn’t provide any service in cities like Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Janakpur due to the lockdown.

However, Dahal said that the banks have ensured that the ATMs do not run out of cash.

Development Banks also opened only limited branches as per the government instruction, informed Govinda Prasad Dhakal, chairman of Nepal Development Bankers’ Association.