The country's largest public sector bank has issued a new update; if you have a bank account, you should know this..

If you receive your salary or pension in a bank account and have pending bank-related tasks, there is an important update for you. A three-day nationwide bank strike is scheduled from September 28 to September 30. Before this, September 26 and 27 fall on a Saturday and Sunday (holidays). Consequently, normal operations at bank branches could be affected for five consecutive days. In light of this, the State Bank of India (SBI) has issued an advisory for its millions of customers.

The bank has advised that tasks requiring a branch visit should ideally be completed before the strike begins. Specifically, if you need staff assistance for depositing cheques, submitting documents, cash-related transactions, or any other banking processes, do not wait until the last minute. However, many routine tasks can still be handled via digital banking services.

**Complete branch-related tasks by September 25**
If you need to visit a bank branch to submit forms, cheques, or documents, it is best to complete these tasks beforehand. Such activities could face delays during the strike due to the absence of staff at the branches. Customers receiving salaries and pensions should also keep an eye on their accounts and upcoming payments. If any payment-related task requires a branch visit, try to complete it early. Similarly, those who might need cash during the strike can make arrangements in advance based on their requirements.

**What should salary and pension recipients do?**
If your salary or pension is credited to your bank account, review any essential account-related tasks before the strike. If you need to handle payments, cheques, documents, or other branch-related matters, try to complete them by September 25. If you anticipate a need for cash during the strike, arrange for it in advance. UPI, mobile banking, and internet banking can be used for daily expenses and money transfers. Additionally, keep checking the bank's digital channels for any important information regarding salary or pension credits.

**Operations to Continue via ATMs and Digital Banking**

SBI has advised customers to use digital channels instead of visiting bank branches. ATMs and Automated Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (ADWMs) can be used if necessary. Customer Service Points (CSPs) may also serve as an option for certain banking services.

UPI, mobile banking, and internet banking can be used for money transfers, bill payments, and other routine transactions. SBI customers can also access various banking services through the YONO app. These digital options can help ensure that daily transactions continue even if branches are closed.

**Why Might Banking Operations Be Affected for Five Consecutive Days?**

Bank customers may face inconvenience this time because the strike coincides with the weekend. September 26 and 27 fall on a Saturday and Sunday, respectively. This is followed by a proposed three-day bank strike on September 28, 29, and 30.

This means that normal operations at bank branches could be disrupted continuously over these five days. While the bank administration will strive to maintain essential services, delays are possible in areas such as cheque clearing, document submission, and other tasks requiring direct staff assistance.

This three-day strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). Bank unions have also proposed further agitation and strike-related actions for the future. SBI has urged customers to utilize available digital services to avoid inconvenience; however, the availability of specific services may depend on the bank and its associated systems.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.