look news india
This is a very important and necessary alert for crores of bank account holders across the country. If you have to complete any work like check clearance, getting a draft made, depositing cash, updating KYC or going to the branch and submitting any important document, then complete it on time. State Bank of India (SBI), while issuing official information and advisory to its customers, has warned that the functioning of bank branches may be widely affected from September 28 to September 30.
The biggest matter of concern is that just before this proposed strike, there is a weekly holiday of the fourth Saturday of the month on 26th September and Sunday on 27th September. This simply means that branch-based normal banking services may come to a standstill in many parts of the country for 5 consecutive days (26 to 30 September).
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), the apex organization of seven major unions representing more than 90 per cent of bank employees and officers, has called for a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, 2026.
The main demands of the bank unions include burning issues like full implementation of 5-day work week (five working days a week) in the banking sector, adequate new recruitments, restoration of the old pension scheme and regulation of contractual employees. Due to heavy participation of employees, there is a strong possibility that the public dealing work in the branches of government and old private banks will be completely stopped or seriously affected.
State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest commercial bank, has said in regulatory filings and public notices that it is making every effort to maintain essential banking services during the strike period. However, the functioning in the branches may be affected as per the ratio of participation of employees and officers.
SBI has made a clear appeal to its customers:
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It is mandatory to complete all the necessary transactions and paper work related to the branch before 26th September.
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Complete the formalities of any type of check clearance or demand draft well in advance so that the settlement does not get delayed.
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Use ATMs and Automated Deposit cum Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs) for cash needs.
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Take help of Customer Service Points (CSPs/Customer Service Centers) in rural and semi-urban areas.
The deep impact of banking disruption for 5 consecutive days can be seen in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Noida, Ghaziabad and big business centers like Delhi-NCR and Bihar (Patna, Gaya).
Traders and wholesalers may face immense inconvenience in making daily cash collections and issuing checks for bulk supplies. The clearance cycle for any checks deposited after September 25 (Friday) may go straight to the first week of October. Therefore, local business organizations have also advised their members to conduct transactions through digital means.
Due to closure of bank branches and currency chests for 5 consecutive days, the risk of cash crunch in ATM machines increases. ATMs, especially those located in residential areas and markets, may be empty only on Saturdays and Sundays.
Customers are advised to withdraw the cash required for their family’s essential household expenses, medical emergencies and daily shopping and keep it safe by September 25. In case of emergency, you can take the help of micro-ATMs and Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) available at petrol pumps, big retail stores or CSP centres.
Despite the bank branches being locked, it is a matter of relief for the customers that the online banking system of Digital India will continue to work 24 hours without any interruption:
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UPI Services: Instant money transfer from one account to another through Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and BHIM apps and QR code payments at stores will continue as normal.
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Net Banking and Mobile Banking: IMPS and NEFT transfers through YONO SBI, PNB One, HDFC NetBanking and iMobile will be available 24×7.
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Card Transaction: The use of debit or credit cards for online shopping, POS swipe machines and e-commerce payments will remain fully operational.
Services like visiting the branch, getting the passbook printed, opening a new account, operating the locker or depositing/withdrawal of cash at the counter will be possible only after the strike ends and the branches reopen.