There is important news for customers handling important bank related work in the last days of September. Between September 26 and September 30, 2026, normal functioning of bank branches may be affected for several consecutive days. It will start with the fourth Saturday bank holiday on 26th September and will be a weekly holiday on Sunday, 27th September. After this, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for a three-day nationwide strike on 28, 29 and 30 September. In view of this, State Bank of India (SBI) has advised its customers to complete important banking work first and use digital means.
However, an important update has also come out regarding September 27. The Finance Ministry has said that in view of the convenience of the customers, all public sector banks and regional rural banks will work normally on Sunday, September 27. The Reserve Bank of India has also given approval to operate bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on that day. In such a situation, after September 26, the services of public sector banks and RRBs will be available on September 27, whereas branch based services may be affected due to the proposed strike from September 28 to 30.
SBI has said in its advisory sent to customers that banking services in branches may be affected during the strike from 28 to 30 September. Therefore, customers who have to go to the branch to do any important work should complete it in advance. The bank has advised customers to use ATM, Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machine (ADWM), Customer Service Point (CSP), YONO, Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, UPI and other digital channels.
The most important thing for customers is that bank closure or strike does not mean that all banking services will stop completely. Many common transactions can be done through digital banking mediums. According to SBI advisory, customers can use facilities like YONO, Internet and mobile banking and UPI as per their need. Important cash related work can also be done through ATM and ADWM depending on the availability. However, the actual availability of a service may depend on technical conditions and local operations.
However, tasks that require direct assistance from an employee at the bank branch or verification of documents may be delayed. Customers may have to wait for the branch to open for some check related work, document submission, some account related requests and other staff-assisted services. Therefore, if any important work of a customer has to be completed before the end of the month, then it would not be appropriate to postpone it till the last minute.
Bank employees' organizations are holding the proposed strike from 28th to 30th September for their demands including implementation of five-day banking week. According to the Finance Ministry, the unions have agitated regarding the five-day banking week and the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The government has decided to put the PLI scheme on hold for the time being, but talks are ongoing on the demand for a five-day working week. A three-day strike has been scheduled from 28th to 30th September on this issue.
According to the Indian Express report, the UFBU's demands also include improvements in pension benefits along with a five-day banking week, uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and giving the employees covered under the NPS the option to switch to the old pension system. The union had earlier also observed a one-day nationwide strike on September 11.
Emphasis has also been laid by the government and bank management on alternative arrangements to reduce the problems faced by the customers due to the strike. The Finance Ministry had said on September 21 that the government has held several rounds of conciliation talks with the unions and necessary steps are being taken to avoid disruption of banking services. Despite this, the strike program from 28th to 30th September was continuing till that time.
The date of 30th September is also important from the banking system point of view, because it is not the end of the financial year but the period related to the closing of half yearly accounts. Many institutional and corporate transactions take place in the banking sector at this time. In the event of a strike, treasury operations, check clearing and some corporate banking activities are expected to be affected. However, normal transactions through digital means are expected to continue.
Customers should especially keep in mind that if they have to withdraw a large amount of money, deposit a cheque, avail a bank draft or other branch-based facility or complete any document related work, then they should plan to settle it first. It is advised that ATM and digital services remain available during the strike, but it will be useful to have alternative options in case of any technical problem or local disruption.
Another important point is that the impact of the proposed strike does not have to be the same on all banks. Depending on the participation of employee organizations in the strike and local conditions, the situation of work being affected in the branches may vary. The impact on public sector banks is expected to be greater, while branches of private banks may operate as per their normal schedule. However, any delay on interbank services may have a separate impact.
The government has decided to open public sector banks and regional rural banks on September 27 for the convenience of customers. Therefore, for those customers who have to do important branch related work in these banks, Sunday 27th September will be an additional opportunity for them. After this, there may be disruption in branch services due to the proposed strike between 28th and 30th September.
At present, the most important advice for customers is that they should not postpone important work related to the bank branch till the last date. SBI has also asked its customers to complete transactions in advance and use digital banking channels as per need. In view of the holiday and proposed strike situation between September 26 and September 30, customers visiting the bank should check their dates and available services in advance.