23 September,2026 06:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. File pic.
Bank customers may face disruption, as physical banking services at public sector banks and regional rural banks are likely to be affected, with the proposed nationwide bank strike beginning on Monday, September 28.
However, to minimise the impact of the proposed strike, the Finance Ministry on Wednesday said public sector banks and regional rural sector banks will remain open for operations on Sunday, September 27.
Without this intervention, the proposed strike would have resulted in a five-day disruption, as the banks will remain closed on September 26 on account of fourth Saturday.
Several banks including the country's largest lender State Bank of India have advised customers to use mobile or online banking services and use ATMs for cash withdrawals.
Customers can use net banking and mobile banking for several routine transactions, including:
⢠Checking or downloading account statements
⢠Requesting cheque books
⢠Transferring funds between accounts
⢠Paying bills
⢠Making payments through UPI apps
⢠Managing fixed deposits and recurring deposits
⢠Depositing into or opening a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account, where the bank offers the facility digitally
⢠Customers can also use ATMs for cash withdrawals, although daily withdrawal limits will continue to apply.
⢠Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs) may also be available for depositing cash into bank accounts.
If customers need to withdraw or deposit a large sum of money, they need to do it before Saturday.
Customers who require branch-based services or are not very comfortable using online or digital banking, may face difficulties during the strike.
Cheque-clearing is likely to be affected. Therefore, customers who need to pay EMIs, society maintenance or other time-sensitive payments by cheque should plan ahead to avoid delays or penalties.
Other services that could be affected include:
⢠Demand drafts
⢠Certain account-related requests
⢠Pre-closure of a fixed deposit that was opened in branch
⢠Loan processing and other branch-based loan services
⢠Over-the-counter banking services
⢠Locker access
⢠Certain foreign remittance and import-related transactions
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) on Tuesday said it had decided to proceed with the three-day nationwide strike beginning September 28, as a conciliation meeting before the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner remained inconclusive.
The conciliation meeting was held after the Finance Ministry appealed to bank employees to refrain from resorting to strikes and to resolve their remaining demands through dialogue.
"Responding to the appeal made by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Indian Banks' Association (IBA), Bank managements to defer the strike, we informed them that if there is any concrete and positive development towards implementation of our demand for introduction of 5 days banking, UFBU will consider the same," UFBU said in a statement on Tuesday.
UFBU, which claims to represent 90 per cent of the banking workforce, said it will be constrained to go ahead with the proposed strike on September 28, 29, and 30.
Earlier, Bank unions under UFBU had gone on nationwide strike on September 11 over the implementation of five-day working week and other demands that also include an update and improvement of pension, a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to switch to the old pension scheme (OPS).
The government has assured that it remains committed to the welfare and well-being of bank employees and to addressing their genuine concerns through constructive engagement, according to a Ministry of Finance statement on Monday.
