Banks close in snowy weather?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Has it always been the case that banks close in snowy weather (snowy enough that schools are closed)? I probably never needed a bank before in such weather, so I never had a chance to notice their closure. I went by my credit union and three banks today to get some crisp bills for kids' presents. All four of them were closed. Color me surprised.

In the end, a supermarket was able to help me out.

[disneysteve]

I'm sure it's a case by case decision by the individual banks, just as any business may close for bad weather. If they feel it's bad enough out that they don't want to endanger their employees by making them come in, certainly better for them to close. And there's the business end of things, too. If you anticipate the storm keeping your customers away for the most part, why pay your staff to stand around and do nothing all day.

[bjl584]

I've never thought about it, but as a matter of safety I don't see why not. My work has let us out early due to bad weather here and there.

I've never needed a bank in a snow storm.
I guess not many other people do either.
Hence, the decision to close up shop.

[kork13]

Funny enough, in Alaska, we sometimes have everything close in the winter because it gets too warm. School, businesses, government, etc.

Unusually warm day leads to snowmelt then refreezes & you have an ice rink. They shut everything down to keep people off the streets. We had a little girl ice skating down our street 1-2 weeks ago after school was cancelled for "excessive warmth"

[Smallsteps]

I'm sure it's a case by case decision by the individual banks, just as any business may close for bad weather. If they feel it's bad enough out that they don't want to endanger their employees by making them come in, certainly better for them to close. And there's the business end of things, too. If you anticipate the storm keeping your customers away for the most part, why pay your staff to stand around and do nothing all day.

It also may be depending on the area.
Is winter weather/ snow a regular occurrence?
In some areas that seldom get snow businesses shut down almost instantly as the residents are not prepared to drive in it.
The area I live seldom if ever gets snow. Last year the area had a week long snow event, most of the time if any falls it melts in a couple hours.
People are still freaking out as if they lived through an ice age and are seriously terrified it could happen again it was 2-3 inches. The year before they had a dusting that melted by noon.

The company I work at had a meeting and bought a bunch of snow blowers that I do not even think work with that small of an accumulation. I wonder if any person there have ever even operated one.

[disneysteve]

It also may be depending on the area.
Is winter weather/ snow a regular occurrence?
In some areas that seldom get snow businesses shut down almost instantly as the residents are not prepared to drive in it.

I think that's true, but I've also seen a change over the years even living in an area that gets snow regularly. When I was a kid, they wouldn't close schools unless it was already snowing and looking like it was going to get bad. Today, they will cancel school the day before the predicted storm when it's still bright and sunny and clear out. Sometimes it snows; sometimes it doesn't or not very much and schools didn't need to close at all. I suspect it's all a liability issue.

[~bs]

pick up the phone and call.

[kork13]

In some areas that seldom get snow businesses shut down almost instantly as the residents are not prepared to drive in it.

I can tell you, as a general statement, residents are NEVER prepared to drive in the snow, no matter where you are. I live in Alaska, and yet still we have tons of idiots on (and often, off) the road that don't know how to drive in it, or think they're invincible in their huge truck, or whatever. It's ludicrous.

The company I work at had a meeting and bought a bunch of snow blowers that I do not even think work with that small of an accumulation. I wonder if any person there have ever even operated one.

~2-3 inches is about when a snow blower is at least a feasible option. Less than that, it's just as fast/easy to shovel it. Above 4-5 inches, heaven help you without one...

I'm okay with people being over-prepared, as long as they don't freak out or get twitchy about it. Lucky for them, snowblowers are pretty simple to use. They'll get the hang of it pretty quick while they try to snowblow a ½-inch.