SBI urges customers to switch to digital banking ahead of May 25-26 staff strike
Synopsis
India's largest bank is bracing for a two-day staff strike on May 25-26, with SBI formally asking millions of customers to go digital. Branch services could be disrupted nationwide — a reminder of how union actions at a single institution can ripple across the country's most widely used banking network.
Key Takeaways
SBI issued a customer advisory on 22 May 2026 ahead of a proposed two-day staff strike on 25 and 26 May .
The strike has been called by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) .
Customers are urged to use ATMs, ADWMs, YONO, internet banking, mobile banking, UPI , and Customer Service Points (CSPs) .
Branch services including cash deposits, withdrawals, and passbook updates may face delays or disruptions.
SBI's digital banking and UPI infrastructure is expected to remain fully operational during the strike period.
State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest public sector lender, on Friday, 22 May 2026, issued a customer advisory urging account holders to shift to digital and alternative banking channels ahead of a proposed two-day strike by the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) on 25 and 26 May 2026. The bank cautioned that branch-level operations may face disruptions during the industrial action, even as it works to maintain essential services.
What SBI Has Advised Customers
In its advisory, SBI asked customers to use ATMs and Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs) for all cash-related needs during the strike period. The bank also encouraged reliance on Customer Service Points (CSPs), internet banking, the YONO app, mobile banking, UPI, and other digital platforms for routine transactions.
'Please be advised that the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has given a notice for a two-day strike on 25th and 26th May 2026,' the bank stated in its official communication. It added: 'We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.'
Services Likely to Be Affected
Customers who visit branches for in-person services — including cash deposits, withdrawals, passbook updates, and other offline transactions — may experience delays or disruptions on both strike days. The extent of the impact will depend on the level of staff participation across branches.
SBI clarified that its digital banking ecosystem, including online transactions and UPI-based services, is expected to operate normally throughout the two-day period. The bank said efforts are underway to keep essential branch services running.
About the Strike Call
The AISBISF issued the strike notice ahead of the 25–26 May dates, though the specific demands behind the industrial action have not been detailed in the bank's public advisory. Widespread participation could affect branch operations at multiple locations across the country, given SBI's extensive national network.
This comes amid a broader pattern of periodic staff actions at public sector banks, where unions have historically mobilised over pay revisions, service conditions, and staffing policies. The bank's pre-emptive advisory signals it is taking the threat of disruption seriously.
What Customers Should Do
Account holders are advised to complete any critical branch-dependent transactions — such as demand drafts, locker access, or bulk cash handling — before 25 May. For most day-to-day needs, YONO, UPI, and internet banking remain fully operational. SBI has one of India's largest ATM networks, which is expected to remain functional during the strike.
Point of View
And a two-day branch disruption will reveal how far that investment has actually shifted customer behaviour away from counters. More broadly, recurring union actions at public sector banks underscore a structural tension: as banks push digital transformation, staff federations continue to wield leverage over the physical network that millions of rural and semi-urban customers still depend on. The real question is not whether digital channels hold up — they likely will — but how many customers cannot use them at all.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SBI issuing a digital banking advisory?
SBI issued the advisory because the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has called a two-day strike on 25 and 26 May 2026, which may disrupt in-person branch services. The bank is urging customers to use digital alternatives to avoid inconvenience.
Which SBI services may be affected during the May 25-26 strike?
Branch-level services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, passbook updates, and other offline transactions may face delays or disruptions. The extent of the impact will depend on staff participation levels at individual branches.
Which digital channels can SBI customers use during the strike?
SBI customers can use ATMs, Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs), Customer Service Points (CSPs), internet banking, the YONO app, mobile banking, and UPI for their banking needs during the strike period.
Will SBI's online and UPI services work normally during the strike?
Yes. SBI has confirmed that its digital banking ecosystem, including online transactions and UPI-based services, is expected to function normally throughout the two-day strike period on 25 and 26 May 2026.
What should SBI customers do before the strike begins?
Customers are advised to complete any critical branch-dependent transactions — such as demand drafts, locker access, or bulk cash handling — before 25 May 2026, when the strike is scheduled to begin.
