3-day nationwide bank strike from September 28: SBI issues 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.

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.

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).