BOJ Working with Banks on Cash Access for Hurricane-Hit Areas

• In a release on November 3, 2025, the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) noted that it, alongside the Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA), is actively exploring initiatives to make banking services, including access to cash, available in the shortest possible time, particularly to the parishes that have been heavily impacted by Hurricane Melissa. 
• While banks have been able to resume operations in many areas, they are experiencing significant challenges reactivating their branch and automated teller machine (ATM) networks across the country. The challenges result from physical damage, the dislocation suffered by staff of the financial institutions, difficulty accessing roadways to towns where the branches and ATMs are located and the absence of electricity and telecommunication services in many communities. In addition, financial institutions face enormous challenges with security in the prevailing conditions.
• Critical payment and settlement systems, such as the BOJ-operated Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS), are operational. Furthermore, the central bank has suspended its fees charged to banks for the transfer and settlement of funds via the RTGS until further notice and expects that the banks will pass on the fee waiver benefit to their customers.
• The BOJ is also exploring with deposit-taking institutions (DTIs) what other temporary relief initiatives for bank customers are possible, particularly for those residing or operating businesses in areas that have been ravaged by the hurricane.

(Source: BOJ)