Bank Holiday March 2021: There is an important news for those planning to visit banks for their routine financial needs. Banks will be closed for four days, starting today, March 13. Most of the banks will remain closed from March 13 to 16.  

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Banks will remain closed on March 13 on account of second Saturday, while March 14 is a Sunday. Besides, bank unions have called for a nationwide strike on March 15 and 16, making it four days in a row. Also, from March 27 to March 30, banks will be closed on the occasion of the fourth Saturday, Sunday, Holi, and Bhai Dooj.  

Nationwide strike 

Nationwide strike by Union Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), comprising nine bank unions, on March 15 and March 16 comes as a mark of protest against the proposed privatisation of two major state-owned lenders by the central government as well as its decision to allow all private-sector lenders in the government-related business.

Meanwhile, public sector lender Canara Bank had said that banking services across the country may get affected due to the proposed strike.  

Canara Bank statement

“We have been informed by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) that the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has given a call for strike in the banking industry on March 15 and March 16, for issues relating to industry level and not for any bank-level issues,” india.com reported Canara Bank making this statement in a regulatory filing.

Banking services such as applying for loans, issue of demand drafts, opening a savings account are expected to be affected. The State Bank of India (SBI) has reportedly alerted its customers about the strikes affecting regular banking hours and services.

Private Banks to remain open

Private banks like Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, etc will not participate in this strike and thus their working hours will not be hit. ATMs will be functional across India.