The Bank of Valletta has announced that it has decided to continue to provide extended opening hours until 4.00pm from all its branches also on Monday 7th January 2008. "We have today taken stock of the situation and we have decided to open all our branches till 4.00pm hours also on Monday 7th January so as to continue supporting our customers to make a smooth transition to the euro," said Igino Xuereb, Chief Officer Operations at Bank of Valletta.

Mr. Xuereb said, "We are pleased with the feedback we are getting from our customers, showing that they are fully appreciative of the efforts of our employees to provide our best service standard even at these times of extraordinary demand."

He announced that yesterday by 3.00pm, BOV employees had effected over 42,500 over the counter transactions. "This was the first day when our branches were offering a full banking service following the changeover to the euro and notwithstanding the pressures at our counters, our employees are rising to the occasion and deserve every praise for the teamwork being shown and for the level of customer service that they are providing," said Mr. Xuereb. He added that Bank of Valletta has continued to deploy over 600 employees at the front line so as to cater for the increased demand and with a view to try to reduce customer waiting time as much as possible.

Bank of Valletta also reminded the public that all its branches will be open till 4.00pm on Saturday, the 5th of January with full banking services being available till 12.00 noon. Between 12.00 noon and 4.00pm, the following banking services will be offered:- cash deposits in both Maltese lira and euro, cash exchange from Maltese lira to euro, and exchange foreign currency banknotes into euro banknotes and coins.