SBI advises customers to use alternative mediums to transact after staff’s strike call

The nation’s biggest bank, SBI, urged customers on Friday to turn to other channels for banking after staff announced a strike planned for early next week.

SBI asked its more than 520 million customers to rely on ATMs, service points, and online options such as YONO and UPI.

The bank, which accounts for roughly one‑fifth of national banking activity, said it is working to keep essential services running at more than 23,200 branches, according to a post on its X account.

The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation announced it will begin a two‑day strike on May 25.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause,” the SBI post stated.

The staff warned that the strike is intended to press several demands, chief among them hiring enough employees.

If the strike goes ahead, SBI’s banking services across the country could be disrupted for five days, because the preceding fourth Saturday and Sunday add to the impact.

In addition, many states will observe a public holiday for Eid al‑Adha on May 27, the day after the strike is scheduled to end.

The staff also called for hiring messengers and armed guards, and switching the pension‑fund manager option to the NPS for employees, according to an AISBISF statement.

The union further demanded that the bank cease outsourcing permanent positions, warning that such practice raises the risk of data leaks, misuse, fraud, and identity theft, jeopardising customer trust and exposing the bank to serious reputational and legal harm.

Another request is the appointment of a workmen’s employee director to the board.

Published on May 22, 2026