Bank customers may face disruption in branch-based services from September 28 to 30, 2026, after the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) decided to proceed with a three-day nationwide strike demanding a five-day working week. The proposed strike follows the fourth Saturday holiday on September 26 and Sunday, September 27. However, a key latest development is that public sector banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) have been directed to remain operational on Sunday, September 27, with RBI approval, reducing the possibility of a five-day stretch of closure.
SBI, Canara Bank, Indian Bank and other lenders have advised customers to complete important branch transactions in advance. UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATM services are expected to remain available, although cheque clearing and other employee-dependent services could face delays. The government has urged unions to defer the strike, while unions continue to press for the five-day banking week.
Why Are Bank Employees Going On Strike?
The three-day strike has been called by the UFBU, which represents several major bank employee and officer unions. The principal demand now remaining is implementation of a five-day banking week. The unions had also opposed the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, but the government decided earlier this month to keep its implementation in abeyance following discussions with bank employees.
The Finance Ministry said it had held several rounds of conciliation with the unions and urged employees to maintain uninterrupted banking services. Despite these efforts, a one-day strike took place on September 11, followed by the planned three-day action from September 28 to 30.
Will Banks Be Closed For Five Days?
September 26 is the fourth Saturday, when PSB branches are normally closed, followed by Sunday, September 27. The proposed strike then runs from September 28 to 30. This had raised concerns about an effective five-day disruption, particularly because September 30 is also the half-yearly closing date for banks, when reconciliation, provisioning and treasury-related work takes place.
However, the Finance Ministry announced on September 23 that all PSBs and RRBs will function normally on Sunday, September 27. The RBI has approved bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests to remain operational that day specifically to reduce inconvenience to customers.
What Happens To UPI, ATMs And Cheques?
Customers are being encouraged to use digital and self-service channels during the strike. SBI has advised customers to use ATMs, Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines, Customer Service Points, YONO, internet and mobile banking, UPI and other digital services. Indian Bank has issued a similar advisory. Routine UPI payments, internet banking, mobile banking and ATM transactions are expected to continue, as these do not generally depend on staff being present at a branch.
However, services requiring physical bank employees, including over-the-counter transactions and some cheque-related processing, may be affected or delayed. Customers with urgent branch work are therefore being advised to complete it before the strike period.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Bank employees have the right to raise concerns about their working conditions and seek changes through collective action, while customers, small businesses and other stakeholders rely on banks for essential financial services.
The proposed three-day strike comes after discussions between the government, the Indian Banks’ Association, bank managements and unions failed to resolve the remaining disagreement over a five-day working week. The government has appealed to unions to defer the strike and continue negotiations, while the United Forum of Bank Unions has maintained that the issue needs to be addressed after earlier discussions and agreements.
The decision to keep public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks open on September 27 is one practical step towards reducing the impact on citizens, particularly those who depend on physical banking services. At the same time, a sustainable resolution will require meaningful dialogue that recognises both employees’ concerns and the public’s need for reliable banking access.
Rather than allowing differences to deepen, continued engagement between unions, bank management and the government can help find common ground without unnecessarily affecting ordinary customers. How do you think the concerns of bank employees and the needs of customers can be balanced fairly?
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