3-day nationwide bank strike from September 28: SBI, Union Bank of India, Indian Bank issue customer advisory

Banking services could face disruption across India as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has proposed a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026.

Several banks, including State Bank of India (SBI), Indian Bank and Union Bank of India, have issued customer advisories ahead of the proposed strike, asking customers to plan branch-dependent transactions in advance.

SBI issues advisory to customers

Ahead of the proposed three-day strike, State Bank of India (SBI) has asked customers to complete important banking transactions before the strike dates and make use of digital and alternative banking channels.

• Complete important banking transactions before September 28.

• Use ATMs and ADWMs for cash requirements.

• Use Customer Service Points (CSPs).

• Prefer Internet Banking, YONO, Mobile Banking, UPI and other digital channels.

SBI said it was making efforts to provide essential banking services during the strike period, while cautioning customers about the potential inconvenience.

Customers should note that while digital channels can handle many routine transactions, services requiring physical documents, branch staff or specific cheque-related processing could face delays.

Union Bank of India and Indian Bank said the functioning of its branches and administrative offices across India may be affected if the strike takes place.

The bank said that, if the strike materialises, customers can use ATMs/BNA, Business Correspondent points, mobile banking, UPI, internet banking and the bank's national helpline for routine requirements.

What bank customers should know

The proposed strike covers three working days. Monday, September 28, Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30. The preceding Saturday, September 26, is the second Saturday of the month and September 27 is Sunday, meaning customers who need branch-based services may want to complete time-sensitive work before the weekend.

The unions have also announced an indefinite strike from October 26 if their demands are not resolved.

The unions are demanding the declaration of all Saturdays as holidays, which was reportedly agreed upon during the 12th Bipartite Settlement signed with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) in March 2024 but is awaiting government notification.

Currently, banks remain open on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of the month.

Under the proposal, banks would operate from Monday to Friday, with daily working hours increased by 40 minutes.

The UFBU comprises the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees' Federation (INBEF) and Indian National Bank Officers' Congress (INBOC).