State Bank of India (SBI) customers may face major service disruptions later this month.
Due to a combination of weekend holidays, Bakrid holidays, and a planned employee strike, bank branches could remain closed for as many as six consecutive days in some regions.
This situation may affect customers who rely on in-branch banking services for daily financial work.
Why SBI Branches Could Be Closed for Several Days
The main reason for the disruption is a two-day nationwide strike announced by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF), scheduled for May 25 and May 26, 2026.
Before the strike begins, branches will already be closed on:
May 23 (fourth Saturday)
May 24 (Sunday)
After the strike period, several states may also see closures on May 27 and May 28 due to Bakrid-related holidays.
If all these closures align, customers could face nearly six days without regular branch services.
Why SBI Employees Are Going on Strike
The employee union says the strike has been called due to long-standing unresolved issues with bank management.
According to the federation, several agreements have not been properly implemented.
The union has raised 16 key demands, including:
New recruitment in different staff categories
Pension-related concerns
Promotions and salary structure improvements
Better working conditions
One major issue is the shortage of support staff, as recruitment for messenger and related roles has been pending for years.
Employees also point out the lack of adequate security, including armed guards in branches.
Pension and Salary Concerns Raised by Staff
Employees have also highlighted issues with the National Pension System (NPS).
They argue that SBI staff do not have the option to choose or change their pension fund manager, unlike employees in some other public sector banks.
Another concern is salary disparity.
The union claims that officers receive additional pay benefits, while workmen staff are not treated equally in terms of compensation.
What SBI Customers Should Do Now
Customers are advised to complete important branch-related work before May 23 to avoid inconvenience.
This includes:
Cash deposits and withdrawals at branches
Cheque clearance and processing
Passbook updates
Loan documentation and account verification
However, digital banking services such as:
UPI
Mobile banking
Internet banking
ATM withdrawals
are expected to remain active during this period, unless SBI issues any separate update.
Possible Impact on Banking Services
If the strike goes ahead as planned along with scheduled holidays, SBI customers may experience one of the longest branch closures in recent times.
While digital services will help reduce inconvenience, in-branch banking activities may be significantly affected during this period.
