Nationwide bank strike disrupts services as unions press for five-day work week

Banking services across several cities were hit on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as employees observed a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The unions’ central demand is a formal five-day work week for bank staff, with all Saturdays treated as holidays, bringing bank schedules in line with many other major financial and government institutions.

While the strike does not automatically translate into an RBI-declared ‘bank holiday’, customers reported limited branch operations and delays in routine counter services. Unions say the proposal would not reduce total working hours because they have offered to extend Monday-to-Friday working time by around 40 minutes per day to compensate for Saturdays.

Why the demand has flared up again

UFBU argues that earlier agreements and settlements with the Indian Banks’ Association have already laid the groundwork for moving to a five-day week, but the final approvals and notification are still pending. With conciliation efforts failing to produce a resolution, unions proceeded with the strike to escalate pressure ahead of upcoming decision points.

For customers, the main impact is on branch-dependent work such as cash deposits and withdrawals at counters, cheque clearing timelines and in-person processing for loans and documentation. Digital channels — including UPI, internet banking and ATMs — are generally expected to remain available, though some back-end processing can still slow down when branches are shut or understaffed.

What customers should do during disruptions

• Use UPI/IMPS/netbanking/ATM where possible for routine transactions
• Expect delays for cheques, drafts and branch-verified documentation
• Confirm branch status locally before visiting, especially in smaller centres
• Plan time-sensitive payments with buffers around strike dates