Bank strike: Will banks be closed for 5 days?

By Sohail Khan 21 September 2026, 10:55 am

Synopsis

A major disruption in banking services is anticipated as the United Forum of Bank Unions has announced a three-day strike at the end of September 2026. This action will halt operations in bank branches, resulting in an extended closure from September 26 to 30.

Image for Bank strike from September 28 to 30: Will banks be closed for five days? SBI, Union Bank of India advise customers to complete transactions in advance — Bank strike: Will banks be closed for 5 days?

Bank customers may face disruptions in branch-related services for three days from September 28 to September 30, 2026, as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has proposed a nationwide bank strike during this period.

Also note that banks are also closed on September 26 as it is the second Saturday of the month, followed by Sunday on September 27, 2026. So, if the three-day strike goes on, bank can be shut for five days in a row starting Saturday.

Banks such as State Bank of India (SBI) and Union Bank of India have also requested their customers to complete bank-related tasks before the strike dates.

Bank strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026

The United Forum of Bank Unions has proposed a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026.

State Bank of India informed its customers that it is making every effort to provide essential banking services during the strike period.

Union Bank of India said it is making efforts to ensure the continuity of essential banking services during the strike period. However, branch operations may be affected on all three days, says Union Bank of India

Since September 26 and 27 are also bank holidays, customers who need to visit a bank branch for important transactions should therefore try to complete them before September 26.

What should bank customers do?

Customers can complete essential banking work before the proposed strike dates. Those who require cash can use ATMs and other available cash withdrawal facilities.

What State Bank of India advised its customers

In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), State Bank of India said, “Although we are making every effort to provide essential banking services during the strike period. Customers are requested to:

Complete essential banking transactions before the strike dates.
Use ATMs/ADWMs to meet cash requirements.
Use customer service centres.
Use internet banking, YONO, mobile banking, UPI and other digital channels for banking needs.”

What Union Bank of India told its customers

Union Bank of India has also advised its customers to use its alternative banking channels for routine transactions.

The following services will remain available for Union Bank of India customers:

Mobile banking
Internet banking
ATMs and ADWMs
Business correspondent (BC) points
UPI and other digital banking channels
Customer service centres

Will ATMs and UPI work during the bank strike?

Bank customers can continue using automated teller machines (ATMs), Unified Payment Interface (UPI), mobile banking and internet banking for their regular banking needs.

Those who require cash from the bank branch during the strike period may withdraw cash in advance rather than waiting until the bank branches reopen.

Similarly, customers can use the UPI and other digital payment options for transactions that do not require a branch visit.

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