United Bank Limited (UBL) has just made things easier for people who struggle to get to a branch during the week. From now on, selected UBL branches will let you open an account on Saturdays. It might sound like a small change, but for a lot of folks, it’s a big deal.
During the workweek, most branches run on standard hours. That usually means you have to take time off or rush during lunch breaks if you need to set up a new account. With Saturday service, people with Monday-to-Friday jobs, shopkeepers, or anyone juggling weekday responsibilities finally have some breathing space.
UBL has been experimenting with weekend banking for a while. They’ve already got certain branches running on Sundays too, and their digital banking options cover a lot of ground. But physical branch visits still matter in Pakistan. Not everyone feels comfortable doing everything online, and for account opening in particular, many people like to sit with a banker and get their questions answered.
If you’re thinking about taking advantage of the Saturday option, it’s worth noting a couple of things. Not every branch is open for this, so you’ll need to check UBL’s branch locator or their official updates to see which ones are participating. Timings can also vary. And while the day of the week has changed, the requirements haven’t — you’ll still need your CNIC and the usual documents.
The move isn’t just about convenience. It plays into a bigger push for financial inclusion. Daily wage earners or gig workers who can’t easily take time off during weekdays now have a more practical way to get into the banking system. It also gives UBL an edge in an increasingly competitive market where banks are trying to win customers with flexibility as much as with products.
Of course, it does raise questions. Running branches on weekends means more staffing and higher costs, and it won’t help if awareness is low. If customers don’t actually know their branch offers Saturday account opening, the initiative won’t go far.
Still, the direction feels right. Banking in Pakistan has been moving slowly toward customer-friendly hours, and UBL seems willing to lead the way. Pair this with their digital offerings and Sunday service, and they’re carving out a reputation for being available when people actually need them.
For now, if your weekdays are packed, you finally have a chance to walk into a UBL branch on a Saturday and get your account opened without the weekday hassle. It’s a simple idea, but sometimes simple changes make the biggest difference.