BEIJING - China's banks have succeeded in slashing their long waiting times for customers, an official with the China Association of Banking Industry claimed on Monday.

A survey of 1,060 bank branches in April showed that customers at 8 percent of these branches reported a queuing time of 15 minutes or longer at present, a sharp drop from 37.5 percent in May 2007, said association vice chairman Yang Zaiping.

Measures to improve efficiency would ensure suitable financial services in Beijing and the six other Olympic co-host cities in time for the Games next month, said Yang.

Over the past three years, major Chinese banks had redeployed their branches in line with perceived demand for the Olympics, trained employees in English, rebuilt or added facilities for the disabled, and increased exchange outlets for 16 foreign currencies.

Operators working on the "12345" hotline would be able to answer financial consultation and complaints in eight languages, said Yang, and customers could call hotlines operated by each bank.

Emergency schemes have been prepared and bank staff have been trained to maintain normal services in case of technical failures.

Yang said the Olympics was a significant opportunity for the reform of the Chinese financial system, which would continue to benefit the public after the Games.