Bank strike disrupts branch services; UPI and internet banking stay online

A nationwide UFBU strike has affected cash transactions, cheque clearing and administrative work at public-sector bank branches. Digital payment rails, including UPI and internet banking, remain operational, limiting disruption for retailers and consumers.

— Source publishedFri, 11 Sept, 2026, 10:43 IST·First seen Fri, 11 Sept, 2026, 10:54 IST·Source ET Small Business

What happened

United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) · A nationwide UFBU strike disrupted public-sector bank branches, affecting cash transactions, cheque clearing and

Key facts

  • 7 unions
  • around 90% of bank officers and employees
  • 12th Bipartite Settlement signed in March 2024
  • banks open on the first, third and fifth Saturdays

What changed

A nationwide UFBU strike disrupted public-sector bank branches, affecting cash transactions, cheque clearing and administrative work across India. UPI and internet banking remained operational. Unions seek a five-day workweek, pension changes and wage-related resolutions.

Why this matters

Keep UPI and internet banking prominently available while planning around delays in branch cash deposits, cheque clearing and bank-assisted transactions.

What to watch

  • Strike duration, participation levels and any extension beyond the announced period.
  • Cheque-clearing backlog, cash-deposit acceptance restrictions and branch reopening schedules.
  • UPI transaction volumes, success rates, outage reports and bank-side transaction limits.
  • ATM cash availability and cash logistics disruptions in high-cash retail markets.
  • Settlement delays from acquiring banks, payment aggregators or public-sector bank accounts.