Bank customers across India may experience partial disruptions on February 12, 2026, as major banking unions have called for a nationwide strike. The State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public-sector lender, has officially flagged the development, cautioning that certain banking services could be affected.
While February 12 has not been declared a bank holiday by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the strike announcement has raised questions about branch operations, cheque clearances, and over-the-counter services. Here’s a detailed look at what is happening and how it may affect you.
In a recent communication, SBI stated that work across its branches and offices may be impacted to a limited extent due to the proposed strike. The bank has indicated that it is taking necessary measures to minimise inconvenience to customers. However, disruptions cannot be ruled out entirely if a large number of employees participate.
IDBI Bank has also reportedly received formal notice of the strike from bank unions, signalling that the protest could have a broader footprint across public sector banks.
Despite the strike call, banks are expected to remain officially open since February 12 is not a notified bank holiday. However, the actual level of service availability will largely depend on employee participation.
Why Are Bank Unions Protesting?
The February 12 bank strike has been called by leading bank unions, including the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), the All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), and the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI). These unions are aligning with a larger protest supported by 10 Central Trade Unions across the country.
At the heart of the agitation are concerns over the four new labour codes notified by the government in November. These codes aim to consolidate and replace 29 existing labour laws. According to bank unions, the proposed changes may dilute worker protections and make it more difficult to register and operate trade unions.
Beyond the labour codes, unions are also reiterating long-standing demands, particularly the push for a five-day work week in banks and improved work-life balance for employees. These demands have been part of ongoing discussions in the banking sector for years.
What Services Could Be Affected?
If the strike sees significant participation, customers may experience delays in routine branch-based services. These could include cash deposits and withdrawals at counters, cheque clearance processes, draft issuance, customer service at branches, and certain back-office operations.
Bank of Baroda has also informed the stock exchange about the potential impact. In a filing to the BSE, the bank stated that while it is taking steps to ensure smooth operations, branch and office functioning may be affected if the strike proceeds as planned.
It is important to note that the scale of disruption may vary from city to city and branch to branch, depending on the number of employees joining the protest.
Will ATMs and Digital Banking Work?
Customers can breathe easy when it comes to digital transactions. Online banking platforms, mobile banking apps, UPI services, and ATM operations are expected to function normally.
Since these services are largely automated and technology-driven, they are unlikely to be directly impacted by the strike. However, minor delays in backend processing or grievance handling may occur if support staff participation is high.
For urgent transactions, customers are strongly advised to rely on digital modes such as internet banking, mobile apps, and UPI to avoid inconvenience.
With uncertainty surrounding the extent of participation, it is advisable to plan. If you have important transactions such as large cash withdrawals, cheque deposits, or documentation work scheduled around February 12, consider completing them in advance.
Corporate clients and businesses that rely heavily on branch operations should also coordinate with their relationship managers to avoid operational bottlenecks.
While banks are not officially closed, a precautionary approach can help you avoid last-minute stress.
The February 12 strike reflects broader tensions within India’s banking ecosystem. The debate over labour reforms, employee welfare, and modernisation continues to shape the sector’s future.
As digital banking expands and automation reduces dependency on manual processes, employee unions remain concerned about job security, working conditions, and rights under the proposed labour codes.
For customers, however, the immediate concern is service continuity. Banks have reiterated their commitment to minimising disruption, but the final impact will depend on how widely the strike is observed.
The all-India bank strike on February 12, 2026, may result in limited service disruptions at SBI and other public sector banks. While branches are expected to remain open, certain operations could be slower than usual.
Digital banking services are likely to function without major interruptions, offering customers a reliable alternative. To stay on the safe side, plan essential banking work and keep track of official updates from your bank.
As the situation develops, clarity on participation levels will determine whether the strike remains symbolic or significantly affects daily banking operations across the country.
