New Delhi, Sept 2026 : State Bank of India (SBI) has advised customers to complete important branch-related banking transactions in advance of a proposed three-day nationwide strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30, 2026.
The advisory follows the UFBU’s nationwide strike on September 11 and comes ahead of another phase of industrial action planned later this month. The union forum has also announced a continuous strike from October 26 as part of its ongoing agitation.
SBI said customers should plan transactions requiring branch visits before the proposed strike period to minimise the possibility of inconvenience. Services involving physical documentation, staff assistance, document verification and other in-person processes could be affected if a substantial number of employees participate in the strike.
The country’s largest public sector bank said it was taking measures to maintain essential banking services during the proposed strike. However, it cautioned that the functioning of individual branches could be affected depending on the level of employee participation in different locations.
SBI has advised customers to make greater use of alternative banking channels during the strike period. Those requiring cash can use Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs). Customer Service Points (CSPs) will also remain an option for certain banking services.
Digital banking facilities are another alternative for customers. SBI said its internet banking, mobile banking, YONO and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platforms would continue to facilitate routine transactions.
Customers can use these digital channels to transfer money, make payments and undertake several other day-to-day banking activities without visiting a branch.
However, SBI cautioned that certain banking services cannot be completed entirely through digital platforms. Transactions involving physical documents, some cheque-related processes and other services that depend on branch staff may face delays if branch operations are disrupted during the strike.
The proposed industrial action could also create an extended period of limited access to regular branch services. September 26 and 27 fall on Saturday and Sunday respectively, immediately before the proposed three-day strike beginning Monday, September 28.
As a result, customers who require services that can only be handled at branches could effectively face a five-day period without normal weekday branch operations.
SBI has therefore encouraged customers to identify any pending branch-dependent transactions and complete them ahead of the proposed strike dates. For routine banking requirements during the disruption, customers can use ATMs, ADWMs, CSPs and SBI’s digital banking platforms, subject to service availability.
The bank’s advisory is aimed at helping customers plan their banking requirements and avoid last-minute difficulties during the proposed nationwide strike.
