Big banks, including Deutsche Bank and Bank of America, are testing employees for COVID-19 before they step into the office. Here's how they are doing it
Courtney Pedroza/Reuters
- As COVID-19 continues to spread, big banks worldwide are monitoring staff that come into the office.
- Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, and BoA are all testing employees for COVID-19, sources told Insider.
- JPMorgan and Wells Fargo said they require employees to complete a health check before they arrive.
- Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.
Major banks worldwide have launched COVID-19 testing programs in order to enable return to work for some employees during the pandemic.
Some banks are offering their staff lab-based PCR tests, which are considered the most accurate way of detecting coronavirus, but they can cost around $100 to process, per The New York Times. Results of PCR tests usually come back within a couple of days.
Other banks are providing antigen tests, also known as lateral flow tests, which give results in about 15 to 30 minutes. Both antigen and PCR tests require swabbing the nose or throat.
"I have been back at work since the start of the year and have been asked to produce three negative test results every week," a source who works in a bank in London told Insider on the condition of anonymity. "It's a bit stressful but the antigen tests are quick and I have got into a nice routine now. It's also nice to be able to go back to work, although I miss the pre-COVID office environment," they said.
However, a number of other banks are asking employees to fill out questionnaires about possible symptoms and exposure to the virus before they come into the workplace.
Insider spoke with sources working in banks across the world to get a sense of return to work plans.
Deutsche Bank
Twice a week, Deutsche Bank is testing UK employees considered key workers that work on the busiest floors in the office, sources familiar with the system said. They are being tested with PCR tests. It's unclear whether staff working on other floors are being also tested.
Deutsche Bank declined to comment to Insider.
Bank of America
Bank of America is testing employees on a weekly basis if they're coming into the office, according to sources familiar with the matter. The testing is currently targeted at UK offices, and there are plans to roll out the tests to the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa region.
Bank of America declined to comment.
JPMorgan
JPMorgan told Insider that employees coming into the workplace in all locations are required to take a daily health check before entering an office. The health check is a survey that can be completed via mobile or laptop, and asks if you've been exposed or in close contact with someone who is infected with COVID-19 or showing related symptoms.
The bank said the daily health checks had been in place since the pandemic began in March.
On top of this, JPMorgan is also sending at-home testing kits to staff, if they want one. Employees are also able to book a PCR COVID-19 test at one of the bank's on-site health and wellness centers.
Wells Fargo
A Wells Fargo spokesperson confirmed to Insider that all workers who go into the bank are required to complete a self-screening assessment, which involves filling out a questionnaire about whether they have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. They must complete this every day before entering the workplace, the spokesperson said.
In its largest US locations, the bank has an on-site nurses to check staff for COVID-19 symptoms and refer them for testing.
Credit Suisse
Sources familiar with the situation at Swiss bank Credit Suisse said it is offering its staff in London weekly testing, despite only a small number of them coming into the workplace. Credit Suisse declined to comment.
Citibank and Barclays could not be reached for comment. HSBC didn't respond to Insider's request for comment.
Are you an employee in the banking sector being tested for COVID-19 on a daily basis? Get in touch with this reporter via email: kduffy@insider.com.
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