Banks to remain closed for 5 days from tomorrow; ATMs could dry up

Beginning Wednesday, 21 October, Banks will remain closed for five days in a row on account of four consecutive holidays, this week. This could affect banking services, including ATMs as these could run out of cash.

Banks will remain closed on 21 October  for Durga Puja, 22 October for Dusshera, 23 October for Moharram, 24 October being fourth Saturday (second and fourth Saturdays of a month are holidays for government-owned banks) and 25 October being Sunday.

Although cash loading at ATMs are privatized at almost all the banks, these could still face problems of cash shortage, owing to the long holidays. Besides, the long closure will affect banking services, including business transactions.

While the banking activities are sure to suffer, ATM card holders will have to face uncertainty regarding availability of cash. This will be more so in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal where the list of holidays are more extended.