Morocco’s banking sector is preparing a series of exceptional measures aimed at ensuring uninterrupted cash availability and ATM operations during the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday period, according to industry sources.
The Groupement Professionnel des Banques du Maroc, the country’s banking association, is expected to hold a key consultative meeting on Monday to coordinate precautionary steps designed to guarantee sufficient liquidity across the banking network and maintain the smooth functioning of automated teller machines nationwide throughout the holiday week.
The move follows the Moroccan government’s decision Friday to declare an exceptional public holiday on May 29, extending the Eid break and raising expectations of increased cash withdrawals during one of the country’s busiest travel and spending periods.
A banking sector source told Hespress AR that discussions are expected to focus on preventive measures aimed at avoiding cash shortages at ATMs, known locally as GABs, as well as the possibility of granting bank employees an exceptional holiday in line with the government’s decision.
The source noted that this would not be the first time Morocco has extended the Eid al-Adha holiday period, adding that an official statement outlining the measures is expected in the coming days.
Last year, when Mohammed VI called on Moroccans to refrain from slaughtering sheep for Eid al-Adha because of livestock shortages, the banking association issued a special directive to ensure continuity of banking services.
Among the key measures implemented previously were increasing the frequency of ATM cash replenishment operations, deploying technical standby teams to respond rapidly to equipment failures and ensuring broad geographic coverage of banking services, particularly in major cities and high-traffic travel areas.
Recent figures published by Bank Al-Maghrib showed that the central bank carried out intensive liquidity operations between May 14 and May 20, with average daily interventions reaching 162.2 billion dirhams ($16.3 billion).
The interventions included seven-day advances, long-term repurchase agreements, guaranteed loans and currency swap operations.
On May 20 alone, the central bank injected 73.3 billion dirhams into the financial system to support market liquidity, according to its weekly indicators report.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s interbank market recorded an average daily trading volume of 1.7 billion dirhams, while the interbank interest rate remained stable at 2.25%, reflecting what the central bank described as a relatively balanced liquidity situation within the banking system.
The government announced Friday that public administrations and local authorities would exceptionally suspend operations on May 29, extending the Eid al-Adha holiday that begins Wednesday, May 27, corresponding to the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar.
The extended break had been widely requested by employees and labor unions because of the large-scale travel movement traditionally associated with Eid celebrations, when millions of Moroccans travel across the country to spend the holiday with their families.
Banking authorities are now seeking to ensure that financial services remain fully operational throughout the unusually long holiday period.
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