Banks Brace For February 12 Nationwide Strike

Bank customers across India are being advised to prepare in advance as major bank unions have announced a nationwide strike scheduled for February 12, 2026. The State Bank of India, one of the country’s largest lenders, has already flagged the possibility of service disruption and urged customers to complete important transactions ahead of time to avoid last minute stress.

According to official communications, branch level operations may be affected depending on employee participation in the strike. Services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances, loan related processing and other over the counter facilities could experience delays. While banks are not formally declared closed, reduced staffing might slow down regular functioning in several locations.

The strike call is part of a larger mobilisation led by bank employee unions who are raising concerns regarding labour policies, working conditions and implementation of new labour codes. Union representatives say their demands focus on job security, improved service conditions and safeguarding employee rights. They argue that discussions with authorities have not addressed their concerns fully, which is why protest action has been announced.

Public sector banks across the country may feel the impact more strongly if participation is high. However, digital services like internet banking, mobile applications and ATM operations are expected to remain operational. For many customers, especially in urban areas, digital channels may offer a temporary relief. But for individuals who depend heavily on in branch assistance, particularly elderly customers or those requiring documentation support, the disruption could cause inconvenience.

Experts suggest that customers planning significant financial work such as large fund transfers, loan documentation or account related formalities should complete it before the strike day. Although strikes in the banking sector are not new, each one tends to create uncertainty among customers who worry about access to essential services.

While it remains unclear how widespread the impact will be, the advisory signals that February 12 may not be a smooth banking day for everyone. Planning ahead could save time and unnecessary frustration for many account holders across the country.