The Syrian central bank has told its commercial banks to stay open for longer, so citizens that do not have a bank account can create one. The move comes as the government makes the shift from food and fuel subsidies to direct cash transfers. 

The Central Bank of Syria told banks to stay open until six in the evening and continue working on Saturdays. The lengthening of hours is meant to speed up the opening of bank accounts and facilitate transfers of cash to people from the government.

Syria is