India’s largest public sector lender, State Bank of India on Friday issued an advisory to customers ahead of a proposed two-day strike by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) scheduled for May 25 and 26. The bank said it is making arrangements to maintain essential banking services while urging customers to use digital and self-service banking options during the protest period.
In its customer advisory shared on social media platform X, SBI informed account holders that branch-level services could be affected due to the planned industrial action. The bank, however, assured customers that efforts are underway to minimise disruptions and continue critical operations wherever possible. Customers have been advised to plan their banking activities in advance to avoid inconvenience during the strike days.
SBI specifically encouraged customers to use ATMs and Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs) for cash transactions. It also recommended the use of Customer Service Points (CSPs) and digital banking platforms for routine financial activities. According to the bank, internet banking, the YONO application, mobile banking services, and UPI-based transactions are expected to function normally throughout the strike period.
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The proposed protest by the AISBISF may impact branch operations across several locations, particularly services that require in-person assistance. Customers visiting branches for activities such as cash deposits, withdrawals, passbook updates, cheque processing, or account-related queries may face delays if staff participation in the strike is significant. SBI stated that it regrets any inconvenience caused and is working to ensure continuity of essential services.
The advisory comes at a time when digital banking adoption in India has significantly increased, allowing banks to maintain many customer services even during operational disruptions. SBI’s digital ecosystem handles a large volume of daily transactions, including online fund transfers, bill payments, and merchant payments through UPI platforms. Officials indicated that these systems are expected to remain fully operational during the two-day strike.
The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation has issued the strike notice as part of an industrial action, although detailed reasons behind the protest were not mentioned in the bank’s advisory. Banking sector strikes in India often lead to temporary disruptions in branch functioning, prompting lenders to issue precautionary advisories encouraging customers to shift to online and automated channels wherever possible.
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