Banking services across the country could face disruptions in the last week of September 2026 due to a proposed three-day strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The strike is scheduled for September 28 to 30, with the UFBU stating that it represents around 90% of banking sector employees.
The proposed strike comes immediately after two consecutive holidays on September 26 and 27. As a result, customers in some states could face difficulties accessing bank branches for up to five consecutive days.
State Bank of India (SBI) has advised customers to complete important branch-related work in advance. The bank has said that efforts will be made to keep essential services running, although the actual impact on branches will depend on employee participation in the strike.
Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank has also alerted customers about possible disruptions between September 28 and 30 and advised them to complete necessary transactions beforehand. However, its ATM, UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and Business Correspondent (BC) services are expected to remain available.
Why September 25 Is Important for Customers
Since the proposed strike follows the September 26 and 27 holidays, customers with urgent branch-related requirements should try to complete them by September 25.
Services that could face delays include cash deposits, cheque processing, KYC updates, document submissions, demand drafts and tasks requiring assistance from bank employees. Some cheque-related activities may also take longer during this period.
Customers should therefore avoid leaving important banking work until the last moment, particularly if it has a deadline between September 28 and 30.
Checklist Before the Bank Strike
Customers should complete pending branch work before September 25 wherever possible. They should also arrange any cash they may require in advance through an ATM or ADWM and maintain sufficient account balances for scheduled EMI and SIP payments.
Digital payment options such as UPI and net banking can be used for regular transactions. Customers who need to complete cheque processing, KYC updates or documentation should also finish these tasks before the proposed strike.
UPI, YONO and Net Banking Services
The proposed strike is primarily expected to affect physical branch operations. SBI has advised customers to make use of digital banking facilities such as internet banking, YONO, mobile banking and UPI.
These services can be used for money transfers, bill payments and other digital transactions. However, temporary interruptions can still occur because of technical problems or scheduled maintenance.
EMIs and credit card bills can also be paid through UPI, net banking, mobile banking, banking applications and other available digital channels. Customers should ensure that sufficient funds are available in their accounts so scheduled payments can be processed on time.
What Are Bank Employees Demanding?
The UFBU is seeking the introduction of a five-day banking system along with action on several employee-related issues.
Its demands include pension reforms, a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to move to the old pension system.
Disclaimer
The proposed strike schedule and its impact on banking services may vary depending on employee participation, state-wise holidays and developments before the scheduled dates. Customers should check announcements from their respective banks before visiting a branch and use official banking channels for the latest service information.