Banking services across India could face disruption from September 28 to September 30 after the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) decided to proceed with a three-day nationwide strike. The unions are pressing for the implementation of a five-day working week in the banking sector, saying the issue has remained unresolved despite discussions with the Indian Banks' Association and the Department of Financial Services. The decision followed a conciliation meeting held in New Delhi on September 22 under the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner. Representatives of the unions, IBA, DFS and bank managements participated in the discussions, but the meeting did not produce the concrete progress sought by the unions.

Why Are Bank Employees Going on Strike?

The central issue behind the latest protest is the demand for 5-Day Banking, under which bank branches would operate from Monday to Friday, with Saturdays becoming holidays. UFBU has argued that the five-day banking arrangement was agreed upon as part of the wage revision settlement and joint note signed in March 2024. However, the arrangement has not yet been implemented because the proposal still requires the necessary government approval. The unions have therefore intensified their campaign, arguing that a commitment made during the wage settlement should now be implemented. The government and banking managements, meanwhile, have appealed to employees to reconsider the strike and continue discussions. According to reports, officials have said that the proposal remains under consideration and involves consultation with different stakeholders.

September 28, 29 and 30: What Customers Should Know

The strike is planned for Monday, September 28, Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30. The timing has raised concerns because September 26 is the fourth Saturday and September 27 is Sunday. Normally, this could mean a long interruption in physical branch services. However, the government has taken a specific step for September 27. The Ministry of Finance announced that all public sector banks and regional rural banks will function normally on Sunday, September 27, to help customers complete essential banking work before the proposed strike. The Reserve Bank of India has also approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on that day. This means customers should not assume that all bank branches will remain unavailable for five straight days.

Which Banking Services Could Be Affected?

The biggest impact of the strike is expected to be on services that require employees to work at physical bank branches. Customers may experience delays in activities such as cash-related branch transactions, cheque processing, account-related documentation, certain loan-related work, and other services that require direct assistance from bank employees. Cheque clearing and settlement-related operations may also experience delays depending on participation and operational arrangements. The extent of disruption can vary between banks and locations. Routine digital transactions are expected to remain available through online and mobile channels, although customers should not treat every digital service as completely unaffected because individual banking operations can vary.

SBI and PNB Issue Customer Advisories

Major public sector lenders have advised customers to complete important branch-dependent work before the strike period. SBI has asked customers to make use of alternative banking channels, including ATMs, Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines, Customer Service Points, internet banking, mobile banking, YONO and UPI for routine transactions. PNB, along with other public sector banks, has also issued communications ahead of the proposed strike and urged employees to ensure continuity of banking operations and customer services. For customers, the practical message is simple: transactions that require physical paperwork or branch staff should preferably be completed before the strike dates.

What Is the Five-Day Banking Demand?

At present, banks generally operate on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of a month, while the second and fourth Saturdays are holidays. The unions are seeking a system under which banks would operate five days a week, from Monday to Friday, with every Saturday and Sunday as weekly holidays. The demand has been under discussion for some time. UFBU says the five-day arrangement was included in the March 2024 wage settlement process but has still not received the final implementation required from the government.

Will ATMs, UPI and Mobile Banking Work During the Strike?

Digital banking services are expected to remain an important option for customers during the strike. Customers can generally use ATMs, UPI, internet banking and mobile banking for eligible transactions. Banks have specifically encouraged customers to use these channels for routine banking needs during periods when branch operations may be affected. However, services involving physical verification, documents, branch-level approvals or employee intervention may not be completed immediately. Customers who have urgent requirements involving cash, cheques or documentation should therefore avoid waiting until the strike begins.

Government Takes Steps Before the Strike

The government has also taken steps to reduce the possible impact on customers. The Ministry of Finance said public sector banks and regional rural banks would remain operational on Sunday, September 27. The decision was taken specifically because the proposed three-day strike follows the weekend holidays on September 26 and 27. The move gives customers an additional opportunity to complete essential banking work before the proposed strike. The government and bank managements have also appealed to unions to defer the strike and continue negotiations.

Why September 30 Is Also Important for Banks

September 30 marks the end of the first half of the financial year for banks. This makes the proposed strike particularly significant because several banking and settlement activities are connected with the half-yearly closing process. The Finance Ministry has been coordinating with stakeholders to minimise disruption and ensure that essential banking operations continue during the period. Reports indicate that measures are also being considered to maintain adequate cash availability and reduce the effect on customers.

What Happened in the Previous Strike?

The latest action is part of a broader protest programme by bank unions. UFBU had already called a one-day nationwide strike on September 11. The unions subsequently announced the three-day strike for September 28-30 after the September 22 conciliation meeting failed to produce the progress they were seeking on the five-day banking demand. The unions have also announced a further escalation from October 26 if their demands remain unresolved.

What Should Bank Customers Do Before September 28?

Customers who need branch-based services should plan their work in advance rather than waiting until the strike begins. Important activities such as cash deposits requiring branch assistance, cheque-related work, account documentation, loan paperwork and other physical banking requirements should preferably be completed before September 28. For routine transactions, customers can continue using digital banking facilities, ATMs and UPI wherever those services are available. The government's decision to keep public sector banks and regional rural banks open on September 27 also gives customers an additional opportunity to complete urgent work.

Will Banks Be Closed From September 28 to 30?

A three-day nationwide bank strike has been called for September 28, 29 and 30. The strike could affect branch-based banking services, depending on employee participation and operational arrangements.

Will Banks Be Open on September 27?

Yes. The Ministry of Finance has announced that public sector banks and regional rural banks will operate normally on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to help customers complete essential banking work before the proposed strike.

Read Also: Bank Strike From September 28 To 30, SBI-PNB Issue Customer Advisory

Can Customers Use UPI and Online Banking During the Strike?

Customers are expected to continue using digital channels such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs for eligible transactions. However, branch-dependent services may face delays during the strike period.