Deutsche Bank has split up sales and trading teams in Frankfurt after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus, following moves by other global banks which have separated their workforces into different teams.
The lender intends to divide sales and trading teams into different locations at that office and at a recovery site until 27 March as a precaution, according to the bank's memo. Some employees may also be asked to work from home.
«All employees who have had contact with the affected colleague were informed directly, and we will undertake deep cleaning on floors N1 and N2 and other areas in DBC. We expect no impact on our ability to operate our full range of services for our clients and recognize that this setup will require extra effort and discipline from all,» Deutsche Bank wrote in its memo.
Banks Executing Contingency Plans
The firm added that employees working remotely won’t be allowed at offices where they are not assigned and that staff should avoid meeting socially with any colleagues stationed elsewhere. It is also planning to take other «precautionary hygiene measures», «Bloomberg»(behind paywall) reported.
At hubs around the world, global banks have begun separating their workforces into different teams so as to limit the potential that an outbreak disrupts operations key to financial markets. At Credit Suisse and UBS, bankers who return from affected regions such as China, South Korea, Singapore or Northern Italy are confined to working from home for two weeks. Most banks have told staff to reduce their travel to the bare minimum.
