A nationwide strike by public sector bank employees scheduled for February 12, 2026 is expected to disrupt routine banking services across India as unions protest labour policies and sector-specific demands. Major trade unions representing bank officers and staff, including the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), have joined the broader strike called on the same day by central trade unions to oppose recent labour code reforms and other policy measures deemed unfavourable to workers.
Public sector lenders such as State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda and Union Bank of India may see limited or partial disruption in customer-facing operations during the strike. Branch-level services like cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque clearances, updating passbooks and in-person enquiries could be affected if a significant proportion of employees participate in the walkout. Several banks have issued advisories warning customers about possible impacts on normal operations.
Despite the strike, no official banking holiday has been declared by the Reserve Bank of India, so branches are expected to remain open in many areas. Digital banking channels — including UPI, mobile and internet banking — are likely to operate as usual, although ATM cash availability could face localised issues due to logistical constraints.
Unions have also raised long-standing demands such as the implementation of a five-day work week for bank employees, better staffing levels and protections against job cuts. While the strike is aimed at pressing these issues, customers are being advised to plan urgent transactions in advance and check with local branches for specific service availability on strike day news as reported.
