Bank holiday tomorrow, September 21: Are banks closed in Kerala and Assam? Check details

On September 28, the State Bank of India (SBI) has issued an advisory to customers due to an anticipated three-day nationwide bank strike led by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The strike is set to commence on September 28 and last until September 30, potentially causing disruptions in banking services across the nation.

SBI warns customers to plan their banking transactions accordingly, as services at branches may be affected during this time. It is worth noting that the strike dates of September 26 and 27 fall on the weekend, which could lead to banking service disruptions for multiple consecutive days. The UFBU is pushing for a series of demands, including the introduction of a five-day banking week, pension benefit improvements, a standardized dearness allowance formula for pensioners, and an option for employees under the National Pension System (NPS) to transition to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

The UFBU claims to represent approximately 90% of the banking workforce. Earlier this year, the same union organized a nationwide strike on September 11 to push for their demands. SBI's advisory to customers emphasizes the importance of completing time-sensitive transactions before the strike dates, using ATMs and Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs), Customer Service Points (CSPs), and digital banking channels such as Internet Banking, YONO, mobile banking, UPI, and other equivalent platforms to minimize potential service disruptions during the strike.

Additionally, the Finance Ministry has convened a meeting with the chief executives of public sector banks and regional rural banks on Monday to address measures aimed at maintaining banking operations and essential customer services throughout the three-day strike. The meeting is expected to focus on contingency measures to mitigate disruptions and ensure customers continue to access vital banking facilities during the strike period.