The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), a conglomeration of nine banking unions across the country, has called the strike.

With the current financial year drawing to a close, it will be the traders who will be worse-affected.

The public, too, will be at the receiving end. A section of traders felt the strike was held on a short notice, while others felt that if this continues, costumers would lose faith in banks.

“It’s the public and the traders who will be held at ransom for no fault of theirs. At a time when the financial year is drawing to a close, the strike can be a real ordeal for the traders,” said Mahesh Singhania, chairman of the Federation of West Bengal Trade Association.