I searched under the security threads and could not find anything on minimum staffing of a branch. I feel that three should be the minimum at all times. Any comments of guidance would be appreciated

I've worked with a number of banks who consider two employees present acceptable from a security standpoint.

We have also allowed branches to operate with 2 employees, although it is not ideal. To accomplish this we have needed a minimum of 4 employees staffed or on call (from the back office, for example), to allow for lunch, vacation, sick days, restroom breaks, etc. I imagine to require 3 on site at all times might require 5 in total, which some branches can't support.

to allow for security and dual control needs, I would recommend a minimum of 2, whe you factor in lunches and breaks you probably need 3.

My bank also had a branch with just one person. She never took a lunch break. She was given special monetary consideration. However, she was located on the 29th Floor of the building, so there was very little "new" business conducted there. Humorously, the internal auditors always complained that she opened the vault without dual control. I used to answer by saying she was really schizophrenic and both personalities were needed to open the vault. (We have since closed that office.)

We require at least two employees at all times.

In our corporate building, which houses a branch office, if there are only two employees present and one must use the restroom down the hallway, then a corporate employee must be called over to the branch.

This branch also has an ATM not connected to the main building. Two employees must go to service this, another employee must observe them entering and one person must call from the small ATM room and give an all clear sign.

I am re-surfacing this particular questioning as we are looking at reducing the number of staff and management at our branches. What are the other banks out there doing in regards to minimum staffing levels? My opinion is that we need a minimum of at least 4 people at all times. Two tellers and two platform (which would include management).

It really depends on your customer traffic and volume - Are you looking at pre-lobby hours vs lobby hours vs opening vs closing?

Threereds: I agree with you about the four person minimum. Realistically, how could one maintain dual control with only three people in the office. Two go back to the vault and one is left up front alone. It's just not safe. Further, if you have three people, what happens at break and lunch? No one can even go to the rest room, let alone take care of any other business which may require dual control. Yes, banks and other financial institutions are looking to reduce costs. But what are the other costs involved?

I am looking at during banking hours. At some branches we have up to 10 personnel working. At the newer branches, which are not making a profit, they are looking to reduce personnel period. I am looking for what other banks do for staffing.

RedRaven's comments are very good - if there is EVER the POSSIBILITY that one employee may be left alone in the drive and/or lobby areas of the center - their safety is being compromised!!! I wouldn't think any employer would ever want to risk that.

I still really depends on the branch, the layout, other security measures, transaction volumes, etc.

I just visited a bank with a branch location that is really a remote drive thru facility. They staff that with a single person. It's not much bigger than a phone booth and putting two people in it would even work. Find a solution for that one

I used to work at a mid sized branch on weekends where we did have just three staff on Saturdays. The only dual control issues were handled when the branch wasn't open. As the officer I was available when needed of course. The bathroom was about 5 steps from the teller line, and being half days we didn't have to worry about lunches. It worked just fine with no risk to staff or clients. 4 would have been overkill due to the transaction volumes. If you want to pm me I can tell you about the other "security" issues and how we handled them.