SBI branches may stay closed May 23–28 amid staff strike, Eid

SBI branches across the country are likely to remain closed for up to six consecutive days from May 23 to May 28 as a convergence of weekend rules, a proposed two-day staff strike and Reserve Bank of India-declared Bakrid holidays disrupt normal branch services, officials and employee groups said on Friday.

What’s happening
According to bank sources and union notices, May 23 falls on the fourth Saturday of the month and is already a scheduled banking holiday, while May 24 is Sunday. The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has announced a two-day strike on May 25–26, aimed at pressuring management to address 16 demands. RBI has additionally declared holiday(s) for Bakrid on May 27 and in some regions on May 28, which means many SBI branches could remain shut through the latter half of next week.

Operations affected
Local branch staff and customers in New Delhi and several state capitals said branch counters will be unavailable for routine cash deposits, withdrawals, passbook printing and on-counter services through the period. “Customers should complete branch-related work by end of day on May 22,” a senior bank official advised, requesting anonymity. Automated services such as ATMs, YONO and digital banking platforms including NEFT, RTGS and IMPS are expected to operate normally, officials added.

Union demands
The AISBISF has listed 16 demands prompting the strike. Key items include immediate recruitment for vacant Class IV (messenger) posts, adequate armed guards, a ban on permanent outsourcing of bank functions, fixes to the HRMS software, improvements to the medical reimbursement scheme and restoration of a workmen-category director on the bank’s board. The union has also asked for parity in pay and conditions, review of the career progression scheme, inclusion of all allowances in pension calculations for certain retirees, and an end to aggressive cross-selling practices.

Why it matters
Most routine counter services will be suspended while cheque clearing, cash-counter operations and passbook updates are likely to slow or pause. “Since this is a workmen-category action, front-line operations will be hit,” a union office-bearer told reporters. Customers relying on branch-only services — large cash deposits, demand drafts, tax challan deposits or new account openings — will have to postpone those transactions or use alternate arrangements.

Ground reality
On Friday morning, queues at several major ATMs in Mumbai’s central business district and in Bhopal were longer than usual as customers withdrew cash ahead of the weekend. Bank staff at a suburban Delhi branch said they had informed regular customers about limited services and posted notices at branch entrances. In Jammu and Kashmir, where RBI has specified both May 27 and 28 as holidays, the impact is expected to be deeper.

Official inputs
SBI’s corporate communications office said it was “monitoring the situation” and urged customers to use digital channels. RBI’s holiday calendar, which sets regional festival holidays, has already listed Bakrid observances for late May, and state-level variations mean some branches will see different combinations of holidays.

Customer advice
Officials recommend customers plan urgent branch visits before the close of business on May 22, use YONO or internet banking for transfers and enquiries, and verify ATM availability for cash needs. Businesses that rely on cheque clearing or on-counter services should notify clients and plan for processing delays.

Possible next steps
Union leaders have said the strike is a show of strength to start bargaining; talks may follow if management engages. The bank has not announced contingency staffing or special arrangements beyond digital services. Observers say the confluence of scheduled weekend closures, holidays and industrial action makes short-notice recovery difficult, and normalisation could take time once staff return.

What to watch
Watch for any last-minute climb-downs from the union, management statements on contingency measures, or RBI circulars clarifying regional holiday observance. Customers should keep an eye on SBI’s website and official social handles for real-time updates.

Nationwide Bank Strike Tomorrow: What Customers Need to Know

Bank customers across India are bracing for inconvenience as a nationwide bank strike is set for tomorrow, February 12, 2026. Major unions including the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) have called the strike as part of a larger Bharat Bandh.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has already alerted customers that banking operations may be impacted. IDBI Bank and Bank of Baroda have also issued similar notices. While the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not declared a holiday, branch-level services are expected to face major disruptions.

Why Bank Employees Are Striking on February 12

The core issue is strong opposition to the central government’s four new labour codes, which replace 29 older labour laws. Unions argue these changes weaken worker protections, make it harder to form trade unions, and favour employers.

Bank staff are also renewing their long-standing demand for a five-day work week. They say rising workloads, staff shortages, and current rules (banks closed only on the second and fourth Saturdays) are hurting work-life balance. This follows a similar one-day strike on January 27 for the same demands.

Union leaders say the protest highlights growing stress on public sector bank employees and calls for fairer working conditions.

How the Nationwide Bank Strike Will Affect You

The bank strike February 12 is likely to hit everyday banking in these ways:

- Branch services disrupted — Cash deposits, withdrawals over the counter, new cheque books, KYC updates, and other counter transactions may not be possible or will be delayed.

- Cheque clearance delays — Clearing operations handled mainly by public sector banks could take 2–3 extra days, affecting bill payments and business transactions.

- ATM cash shortages possible — With banks closed for three straight days (including the weekend), ATMs in smaller towns and residential areas may run out of cash.

- Loan and document work delayed — Approvals, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and government-related banking tasks may get postponed to Thursday or later.

Private banks such as HDFC, ICICI, and Axis are expected to function normally with less impact.

Services That Will Remain Unaffected

Thankfully, most digital options will continue smoothly:

- UPI payments via Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM will work as usual for shopping and transfers.

- Internet and mobile banking for balance checks, bill payments, IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS will remain available.

- ATMs will stay open for withdrawals as long as cash lasts.

Customers who rely on digital banking should face minimal problems.

What Should You Do Before the Strike?

Plan ahead to avoid last-minute stress:

- Complete urgent cash deposits or withdrawals today (February 11).

- Use digital channels for bill payments and transfers.

- Keep extra cash for the next two days if you’re in areas with limited ATM access.

- Postpone non-urgent branch visits until Thursday.

Banks are urging customers to use alternate channels to reduce pressure on branches.

Bottom Line

This nationwide bank strike serves as a reminder of ongoing tensions between workers’ rights and operational needs in India’s banking sector. While digital tools have made banking more resilient, many people still depend on physical branches for important tasks.

Stay updated through your bank’s app or website, and shift to online options wherever possible. The situation should return to normal by February 13, but planning today will help you avoid unnecessary hassle tomorrow.