Feature Post

UFBU Calls Off Nationwide Bank Strike on 24th and 25th Mar 2025 After Assurances from Finance Ministry and IBA

I n a significant development on March 21, 2025, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has decided to call off their two-day nationwide strike, which was originally planned for March 24 and 25. This decision was made after the UFBU received positive reassurances from both the Finance Ministry and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) regarding their key demands. The banking unions, under the umbrella body of UFBU, represent employees from nine major unions across the country, including AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, and BEFI. The unions had earlier called for the nationwide strike to protest against several ongoing issues that they believe impact the welfare and job security of bank employees. Key Issues Behind the Proposed Strike The strike was initially called by UFBU to address a range of pressing concerns, some of which have been lingering for years. The union's main demands included: Five-Day Workweek for Bank Employees:  One of the most anticipated demands was the implementation o...

Repo Rate , Reverse Repo Rate, CRR and SLR

Repo Rate

  • Interest Rate at which the central bank i.e. Reserve Bank of India lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds to maintain liquidity. 
  • Used by monetary authorities to control inflation
  • Home loan rates are linked to RBI Repo Rate.
  • Banks use Repo rate to determine deposit rate, lending rates and base rates.

Reverse Repo Rate

  • Rate at which Banks deposit their excess funds with the RBI. 
  • It is lower than Repo rate
  • It is used to control the cash flow in financial market
  • Increase of Reverse Repo Rate leads to more deposit by Bank with RBI to earn more interest and vice versa.


CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio)


  • Legal provisions - section 42(1) RBI Act.
  • Rate - Fixed by RBI
  • Average Fortnightly balance on reporting Friday in a current a/c with RBI.
  • Min.daily balance should not < 90% of the average fortnightly balance
  • Default in maintain CRR- bank has to pay interest to RBI at   
    • bank rate +3% - first day 
    • bank rate +5% - subsequent days
  • No interest paid by RBI.

SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio)


  • Legal provisions - Section 24 of BR Act.
  • Rate RBI can fix up to 40% of net demand and time liabilities as on last Friday of preceding fortnight.
  • From of SLR investment .
    • Cash Balance 
    • Balance with bank and excess CRR balance with RBI
    • Investment in Gold.
    • Investment in unencumbered approved securities (govt. security/trustee security including purchase under LAF)
  • Default - Interest payment as in CRR.
  • No min 
  • Max 40%   

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