Bank Strike September 28-30: Banking services nationwide are likely to face disruptions next week as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called a three-day nationwide strike starting September 28.

The strike comes at a critical time, coinciding with the half-yearly closing on September 30, a key date when banks perform crucial operations including reconciliation, provisioning, and treasury and market activities. Combined with the preceding weekend, the strike could lead to an effective five-day shutdown of branch services across the country, affecting customers, business transactions, government payments, and international banking processes.

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Why Are Bank Employees Going On 3-Day Nationwide Strike?

The UFBU, which claims to represent 90 per cent of the banking workforce, has called the strike over two key demands:

  • Implementation of Five-Day Work Week: Moving to a five-day banking schedule.
  • Withdrawal of the PLI Scheme: Scrapping the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

In response, the government held high-level discussions earlier this week and decided to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance. The Finance Ministry has urged bank personnel to refrain from striking and resolve their grievances through dialogue to keep banking services running smoothly.

Banks To Remain Open On Sunday

To mitigate customer inconvenience ahead of the nationwide strike, the Finance Ministry said that all Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) will operate as normal on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

"The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and Currency Chests to remain fully operational on 27.09.2026," the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

Affected vs. Operational Banks: Which Services Will Run?

Despite the three-day strike, not all banking operations will come to a halt. The strike is expected to affect Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

Public Sector Banks (PSBs)

There are currently 12 public sector banks in the country:

  • State Bank of India (SBI)
  • Bank of Baroda (BoB)
  • Punjab National Bank (PNB)
  • Canara Bank
  • Union Bank of India
  • Bank of India
  • Indian Bank
  • Central Bank of India
  • Bank of Maharashtra
  • Indian Overseas Bank
  • UCO Bank
  • Punjab & Sind Bank

Private Sector Banks

Private sector banks, such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, are expected to remain operational, allowing customers to continue accessing regular banking services, including visiting branch offices for important transactions.

Customer Advisories From SBI, PNB, BoB, And Union Bank

Major public sector banks have issued advisories urging customers to plan essential branch-related transactions in advance and utilise digital channels during the three-day strike:

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  • SBI: Advised customers to plan banking-related transactions in advance as branch services may be affected. Customers are encouraged to use ATMs and Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs) for cash requirements.
  • Union Bank of India: Recommended using mobile banking, internet banking, ATMs, and UPI for transactions.
  • Canara Bank: Appealed to customers to rely on digital banking channels, including UPI, QR-based payments, mobile/internet banking, ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs), debit/credit cards, Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), and Business Correspondents (BCs) / Customer Service Points (CSPs).
  • Bank of Baroda: Urged customers to utilise digital banking services during the proposed strike.

Advance Salary And Pension Disbursal For Central Government Staff

In view of the three-day strike, the Finance Ministry has advised all central ministries and departments to disburse the September 2026 salary in advance on September 25.

Additionally, banks and Pay and Accounts Offices (PAOs) have been instructed to release September pensions for central government pensioners and wages for industrial employees of the central government on September 25.

(With Inputs From PTI)