Bank strike from September 28 to 30: SBI issues advisory, which banking services will be available?

A view of a deserted SBI bank branch after the bank employees, under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), during their nationwide strike on September 11. | Photo Credit: ANI Ahead of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, the State Bank of India (SBI) has issued a customer advisory. It has advised customers to complete important branch-related work in advance to avoid any possible disturbances. Significantly, since September 26 and 27 fall on fourth Saturday and Sunday, the customers are bound to face five-consecutive days of disruption in banking services.The strike is being led by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which earlier held a strike on September 11, 2026, raising a slew of demands for the bank employees. The umbrella body, comprising nine bank employees’ and officers’ union, has been pressing for a four-point charter of demands, including the implementation of five-day banking week, claimed to have beeen promised in 2024.Banking services that will be availableThe advisory, shared by the SBI on X, notes that all possible efforts would be undertaken to provide essential banking services during the strike period. It has urged the customers to use ATMs/ADWMs for emergency cash withdrawals or other services. Additionally, it has stated the Customer Service Points (CSPs) will also remain available.With the disruption likely to hamper physical banking services, digital banking will remain open for the customers to facilitate regular transactions and banking-related activities. Customers can use YONO, mobile banking or UPI, to continue routine transactions without visiting a bank.Bank unions’ demandsThe UFBU has long been demanding a five-day banking week, updation of pension, and a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners. These charter of demands had been raised on multiple accounts earlier too. The UFBU noted the employees took the route of strike because the assurances given by the government and the bank managements are yet to be fulfilled.According to the union leaders, an agreement signed in March 2024 allowed for Saturdays to be declared holidays, while employees agreed to an increase of 40 minutes in working hours from Monday to Friday. “This agreement has been recommended to the Finance Ministry, Government of India, for approval. More than two years have passed, but the issue is still pending with the Finance Ministry,” UFBU leaders have said. Published - September 21, 2026 03:26 pm IST