New Delhi: Banking services across parts of the country are witnessing limited disruption today as major banking unions have joined the nationwide Bharat Bandh called by central trade unions and farmers’ groups. The participation of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and the All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) has led to increased public queries on the operational status of banks, with searches trending for terms such as “SBI bank strike status” and “Bank of Baroda open today.”
Union representatives have said the decision to participate in the bandh is aimed at drawing attention to long-standing issues within the banking sector, including staffing shortages and service-related concerns. While the extent of disruption differs by region, customers in some areas may experience reduced branch operations and delays in routine banking services during the day.
Why Banking Unions Are on Strike
Banking unions have extended support to the Bharat Bandh to raise concerns over issues affecting the banking sector, including staffing shortages, workload pressures, privatisation of public sector banks, and long-pending service-related demands. Union representatives have said the strike is part of a broader protest aligned with the demands raised by central trade unions.
The unions have stated that their participation is intended to bring attention to policy and administrative matters impacting bank employees and public sector banking operations. They have emphasised that the protest is coordinated with other sectors taking part in the bandh, and is being carried out as a symbolic show of support rather than a call for an indefinite shutdown of banking services.
Impact on Banking Operations
Public sector banks, including State Bank of India (SBI) and Bank of Baroda, may see partial disruption in branch operations, particularly in areas where union participation is higher. Routine services such as cash withdrawals at counters, cheque clearances, and in-branch customer assistance may be affected in some locations.
Private sector banks are largely operating as usual, as their employees are not part of the strike call. Digital banking services, including ATMs, mobile banking apps, and online transactions, are expected to remain functional, though customers have been advised to allow for possible delays.
What Customers Should Know
There has been no announcement of a complete nationwide shutdown of banking services. Officials have indicated that essential banking functions and emergency services are being maintained. Customers planning branch visits have been advised to check with their local bank branches for confirmation of operating hours.
Bank authorities have said branch-level operations will depend on staff availability and local participation in the strike. Customers have been encouraged to rely on digital banking channels for routine transactions and to plan non-urgent visits on another day if possible, to avoid inconvenience.
Administrative Position
The government has not issued a separate advisory declaring February 12 a bank holiday. Banking operations are governed by strike participation at the local level, and service availability may differ from one region to another.
Authorities have said they are monitoring the situation to ensure that critical financial services and payment systems continue to function smoothly.
Why Searches Are Spiking
The inclusion of banking unions in the Bharat Bandh has led to heightened public interest, particularly among customers dependent on public sector banks for daily transactions. Online search trends reflect widespread efforts to confirm whether banks are open and which services may be affected.
With public sector banks playing a key role in everyday financial activities, the possibility of service disruption has prompted customers to seek real-time updates. Many are checking official bank notices, branch-level information, and online platforms to understand the extent of the strike’s impact and to plan their transactions accordingly.
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Last Updated on: Thursday, February 12, 2026 3:05 pm by News Proton Team | Published by: News Proton Team on Thursday, February 12, 2026 3:05 pm | News Categories: Business