'To safeguard banking needs of citizens': Banks to remain open on Sunday, ahead of three-day strike

Banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, to ensure customers have access to banking services ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Wednesday.The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for a nationwide strike from September 28 to 30. With September 26 and 27 being weekend holidays, the strike could otherwise result in a prolonged disruption to banking services.In a press release, the government said, “In view of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30, 2026, coinciding with the preceding weekend holidays of September 26 and 27, the government has taken proactive steps to safeguard the banking needs of citizens.”“In order to ensure that the genuine banking needs of the public are not adversely affected for an extended period, all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, the 27th of September, 2026.”The RBI has also approved the opening of all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.“The Department reiterates that the welfare and convenience of bank customers remains the Government's foremost priority. The Government and bank managements have appealed to unions to defer the proposed strike, and have also taken measures to ensure that essential banking services continue un-interrupted,” the statement said.Why are bank unions planning a strike?The UFBU has said bank operations could be disrupted across the country during the three-day strike from September 28 to 30. Since the strike follows the weekend holidays, customers could potentially face an effective five-day disruption in banking services.The timing is also significant as September 30 marks the half-yearly closing of banks, when reconciliation, provisioning, and treasury and market operations are carried out.The UFBU, which claims to represent around 90% of the banking workforce, has said it will proceed with the strike unless there is concrete progress on its key demand for five-day banking.“Responding to the appeal made by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Indian Banks' Association (IBA), Bank managements to defer the strike, we informed them that if there is any concrete and positive development towards implementation of our demand for introduction of 5 days banking, UFBU will consider the same,” the UFBU said in a statement following a meeting with the deputy chief labour commissioner.Get the latest Business News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.