Bank Holiday Today: Are SBI, HDFC Bank and ICICI Open or Closed on Saturday, August 22?
Bank holiday today: SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and other commercial banks are closed across India on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The reason is straightforward: August 22 falls on the fourth Saturday of the month, which is a scheduled bank holiday under the RBI's banking calendar.
The closure applies to both public-sector and private-sector bank branches. So customers planning to visit an SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, PNB, Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank or another commercial bank branch today should postpone branch-based work until the next working day.
Why Are Banks Closed Today, August 22?
The Reserve Bank of India follows a system under which banks observe holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
The framework dates back to 2015, when the Government declared every second and fourth Saturday a public holiday for banks. The RBI subsequently confirmed that banks, including those covered and not covered under the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, would observe these Saturday holidays from September 1, 2015.
Since August 8, 2026 was the second Saturday, today's August 22 date is the fourth Saturday.
Bank holiday calendars for SBI, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank all list August 22 as the fourth-Saturday holiday across India.
Are SBI, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank Closed Today?
Yes. SBI, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank branches are closed today, August 22.
The fourth-Saturday holiday is not restricted to a particular state or festival. It is a nationwide scheduled banking holiday.
That means customers cannot expect normal over-the-counter branch services today, including routine cash-counter transactions, passbook updates, certain documentation services and other work requiring bank employees at a physical branch.
The same basic closure applies to other commercial banks operating in India.
Does the RBI Holiday Apply to Every Bank Branch?
For today's fourth-Saturday holiday, the answer is effectively yes for regular commercial bank branches across India.
However, customers should understand the difference between a nationwide Saturday holiday and a regional bank holiday.
The RBI's broader holiday calendar is state- and location-specific for many festivals. A bank can therefore be closed in one city for a regional holiday while remaining open in another city.
But August 22 is different: it is the fourth Saturday, so the closure is nationwide.
Can You Still Use UPI, ATM and Net Banking?
Yes. A branch holiday does not mean that the entire banking system shuts down.
Customers can generally continue using digital banking services such as:
UPI payments
Mobile banking
Internet banking
ATM services
Online fund transfers
Bill payments
Account balance checks
Other services available through a bank's digital channels
Recent banking guidance and holiday information also indicate that digital services such as UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs remain available during branch holidays.
However, availability of a particular service can depend on the bank, payment system and transaction type. A transaction that requires physical branch intervention may have to wait until the branch reopens.
What Bank Services Are Not Available Today?
Customers should avoid planning urgent branch-dependent work for August 22.
These may include:
Cash deposits or withdrawals at the branch counter
Passbook printing requiring branch assistance
Certain KYC updates
Physical account-related documentation
Cheque-related services requiring branch processing
Demand draft or other branch-specific requests
Services that require direct interaction with bank officials
If the task can be completed through internet banking or a mobile application, customers may not need to wait for the branch to reopen.
When Will Banks Reopen After August 22?
The next day, Sunday, August 23, 2026, is also a regular weekly bank holiday.
Therefore, customers needing physical branch services should generally plan for Monday, August 24, subject to the normal working schedule of their particular branch.
This is particularly relevant because the following week also contains several regional bank holidays. RBI's holiday calendar is location-specific for festival holidays, so customers should check their city's schedule before making a branch visit later in the week.
What Are the Next Bank Holidays in August?
After today's fourth-Saturday closure and Sunday's weekly holiday, more regional holidays are scheduled later in August.
The important dates include:
August 25, Tuesday: Eid-e-Milad/Milad-un-Nabi is observed as a bank holiday in several states and centres.
August 26, Wednesday: Regional closures include Thiruvonam/other observances depending on location.
August 27, Thursday: Certain regional holidays, including Thiruvonam-related observances in Kerala, apply.
August 28, Friday: Raksha Bandhan and other regional observances result in closures in selected states.
These are not nationwide closures in the same way as today's fourth-Saturday holiday. Customers should therefore check the RBI/state-wise holiday calendar for their particular branch.
What Should Customers Do Today?
If your banking requirement is urgent, the best option is to first check whether the service can be completed digitally.
For example, UPI can handle everyday payments, while internet and mobile banking can cover many account and transfer-related tasks. ATMs can also provide cash access where services are available.
For work that specifically requires a bank employee or physical documentation, customers should plan their visit for the next working day rather than travelling to the branch today.
This distinction is important because "bank holiday" refers primarily to branch operations, not necessarily to every electronic banking service.
Bottom Line
SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and other regular commercial bank branches are closed today, Saturday, August 22, 2026, across India because it is the fourth Saturday.
Customers can continue using UPI, ATMs, mobile banking and internet banking for many routine transactions, but branch-dependent services will have to wait.
With Sunday, August 23 following today's closure, the next normal opportunity for most customers to visit a branch will be Monday, August 24. After that, several regional holidays later in the week could affect branch operations depending on the city.
Follow our blog for more RBI updates, bank holiday calendars, banking news, personal finance developments and important dates for Indian customers.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice
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