The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on working conditions and methods in private banks: The case of Elazığ

The Covid-19 pandemic, has affected many social institutions and structures. However, it has caused great negativities and losses mostly in health services and economic systems. The economies of the world, which have obligatory relations with each other at the global level, have been affected by the conditions caused by the pandemic to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the level of development of the countries. Although this period ceased to be a "global emergency" according to official statements, the uncertainties in the process have led countries to take different measures for the functioning of economic systems, and new alternatives have been determined and put into practice to the extent required by the changing conditions in the institutional sense. The banking sector is one of the important segments of the economic system exposed to the effects of the pandemic. This study aims to determine the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the working conditions and methods of private banks. The aim of the study is to evaluate the capacity of private banks to cope with the crisis management by revealing the practices within which they organise their routine operations during the pandemic. The results of the research are expected to shed light on epidemic management in possible crisis situations in the future. In line with the objectives, a qualitative research was conducted with the managers of 7 private banks operating in Elazığ and data were collected through in-depth interviews. The data were subjected to content analysis and interpreted. NVivo 10 software was used in the data analysis process. As a result of the content analysis, five main themes emerged as Changes and Regulations, Coping Capacity, Implementation Differences, Staff Motivation, Sustainability and sub-themes related to the main themes were formed. Within the scope of the research results, it can be said that private banks have made some changes in their working conditions and methods during the Covid-19 outbreak due to necessity, and they have faced various difficulties in terms of carrying out banking transactions and serving customers throughout the process. It was determined that they experienced various advantages and disadvantages both in terms of sectoral and branch-specific conditions, and they were able to develop the ability to cope with disadvantages by taking advantage of advantages. In addition, it was also revealed that the gains gained during the pandemic process are sustainable. Keywords: Covid-19 Pandemic, Banking and Finance, Private Banks, Working Conditions, Pandemic Management.