The unions are pressing for five-day banking and several other demands. Bank strike alert! Bank customers could face interruptions in branch-based services for three days from September 28 to September 30, 2026, if the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) proceeds with its proposed nationwide strike.The proposed strike comes immediately after the weekend. September 26 is the second Saturday of the month and is a bank holiday, while September 27, 2026, falls on a Sunday. As a result, if the three-day strike takes place, bank branches could remain closed across the country for five consecutive days, beginning September 26.

Why bank employees are planning a strike

The unions are pressing for five-day banking and several other demands. UFBU says it represents 90 per cent of the banking workforce. Apart from the demand for five-day banking, the unions are also seeking updation and improvement of pension, a common dearness allowance formula for all pensioners, and an option for employees covered by the National Pension System (NPS) to move to the old pension scheme (OPS).UFBU-affiliated bank unions had earlier observed a nationwide strike on September 11 over the same demands.If the strike goes ahead as planned, it will also fall during the banking sector’s half-yearly closing period.The Finance Ministry is meeting the heads of public sector banks and regional rural banks on Monday to discuss arrangements for keeping banking operations and essential customer services running during the three-day strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).According to a communication sent to banks, the secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) will chair Monday’s meeting with the chief executives of public sector banks (PSBs) and regional rural banks (RRBs). The discussions will focus on steps to maintain banking operations and essential customer services throughout the strike period.The meeting is expected to consider contingency arrangements aimed at limiting disruption and ensuring customers can continue to access essential banking facilities while the strike is underway.

What banks are saying:

State Bank of India (SBI), Union Bank of India and other banks have advised customers to complete banking-related work ahead of the proposed strike dates.State Bank of India has informed customers that it is taking all possible steps to continue providing essential banking services during the proposed strike period.Union Bank of India has also said it is working to maintain essential banking services during the strike. However, the bank has cautioned that branch operations could be affected on all three days.With September 26 and September 27 already being bank holidays, customers who have important branch-related transactions should aim to complete them before September 26.Customers who need to carry out essential banking activities at branches can complete them before the proposed strike begins. Those who need cash can use ATMs and other available cash withdrawal facilities during the period.

What State Bank of India advised its customers

State Bank of India, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said it was taking steps to maintain essential banking services during the strike period and asked customers to make use of alternative channels.The bank said, “Although we are making every effort to provide essential banking services during the strike period. Customers are requested to:

• Complete essential banking transactions before the strike dates.
• Use ATMs/ADWMs to meet cash requirements.
• Use customer service centres.
• Use internet banking, YONO, mobile banking, UPI and other digital channels for banking needs.”

What Union Bank of India told its customers

Union Bank of India has similarly asked customers to rely on its alternative banking channels for routine banking requirements during the proposed strike.Customers will continue to have access to the following services:

• Mobile banking
• Internet banking
• ATMs and ADWMs
• Business correspondent (BC) points
• UPI and other digital banking channels
• Customer service centres

Will ATMs and UPI work during the bank strike?

Customers will be able to continue using ATMs, Unified Payment Interface (UPI), mobile banking and internet banking for regular transactions during the strike period.Those who need to withdraw cash specifically through a bank branch can make the withdrawal in advance instead of waiting for branches to resume operations after the strike.For payments and other transactions that do not require a physical visit to a branch, customers can continue to use UPI and other available digital payment channels.