Bank Strike 2026: Bank customers across India are on alert as several major bank unions have called for a nationwide strike on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The announcement has triggered widespread concern over whether banks will remain open and if essential services like cash withdrawal, cheque clearance, and branch-based transactions will be affected.

While the strike has been confirmed by unions, there is no official bank holiday declared so far, which means banks are technically scheduled to function. However, customers may still experience disruptions in services in many parts of the country.

The strike is being organized by leading banking unions, including the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), and the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI). These unions have joined hands with 10 central trade unions to protest against the government’s recently introduced labour reforms.

At the center of the protest are the four new labour codes, implemented in November, which are set to replace 29 existing labour laws. Bank unions argue that these labour codes are unfavorable to employees and could weaken workers’ rights. They claim the new rules make trade union registration more difficult and may reduce job security in the long run.

Apart from opposing the labour codes, unions are also pressing for long-pending demands such as better work-life balance, improved working conditions, and the implementation of a five-day workweek in the banking sector.

As of now, neither the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) nor the central government has declared February 12 as a bank holiday. This indicates that banks are expected to remain open as per their regular schedule.

However, the actual availability of services may vary. Bank of Baroda has already informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that its operations could be partially affected if employees participate in the strike. Similar disruptions may be seen in other public sector banks depending on staff turnout.

Even if branches are open, customers could face:

• Longer waiting times at bank counters

• Limited staff availability

• Delays in cheque clearing and branch-based services

• Slower response for in-person requests

That said, digital banking services such as UPI payments, mobile banking apps, internet banking, and ATMs are expected to function normally, unless impacted locally.

To avoid inconvenience, customers are advised to:

• Complete urgent banking work in advance

• Rely on online and mobile banking wherever possible

• Avoid non-essential branch visits on February 12

• Keep track of updates from their respective banks

Although banks are not officially closed on February 12, 2026, the nationwide strike may lead to partial disruptions in banking services across India. Customers should plan ahead and use digital banking options to ensure smooth transactions during the strike period.