State Bank of India is among the most popular and busiest banks. It is popular due to its array of financial products and services it extends to customers. Over the years, the Bank has carved a name and reputation for itself and has become a reliable banking institution for households.
Its offering of online and offline services further makes it a to-go bank for many individuals. While tech-savvy and internet-reliant customers find the online banking services of SBI convenient and efficient, those who are not comfortable with online banking are satisfied with offline assistance.
That said, regardless of what type or mode of service a customer opts for, it is vital for them to find out the SBI timings. By doing so, they will be able to make their banking experience seamless, and their in-person bank branch visits productive.
An unplanned transaction or branch visit can hamper one’s banking experience and also delay a key transaction. Additionally, if a visit doesn’t go as per plan, it can hamper other activities of the day and waste valuable time.
On that note, let us check the key SBI Bank timings and find out how the same can affect one’s banking routine.
Take a look at the table below to gain insight into the standard SBI Bank timings across branches. However, note that the same may vary across locations and branches.
| Working Days | Working hours |
| Monday to Friday | 9 am – 3:30 pm |
| First, third, and fifth Saturdays | 9 am – 3:30 pm |
| Second and fourth Saturdays | Closed |
| Lunchtime | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm |
| Sundays | Closed |
| Public holidays | Closed |
| NEFT timings | 24*7 online |
| RTGS timings | 24*7 online |
| UPI timings | 24*7 online |
| Customer care services | Closed |
| IMPS timings | Closed |
Make sure to confirm the exact timings from your local branch before scheduling a visit.
Now that we have checked the standard SBI bank timings let us find out how the same can affect customers if they don’t factor in the working hours.
The Impact of SBI Bank Timings on the Banking Routine of Customers
SBI is among the busiest banks in the country, and each day it assists millions of customers nationwide. Given its popular services and a long line of customers, the bank’s operating hours significantly impact visitors’ daily banking routine.
Take a look at the points below to know more about the busiest working hours of the bank branches and how to avoid long queues, and how to make the most of branch visits.
SBI Busy Hour
Typically, SBI bank branches see a high footfall of customers on certain days and hours of the week. For most branches, 11 am to 2 pm is the peak hour on Monday to Friday.
However, for every first, third, and fifth Saturday, the peak hour lasts from 10 am to 12 pm every first, third, and fifth Saturday.
These hours witness several customers lining up for different banking transactions such as depositing money, withdrawing cash, submitting loan applications, upgrading SBI debit card and opening or closing a bank account. Visiting a bank branch during this peak hour could mean you have to wait in long queues for your turn, which can be frustrating if you have an urgent need or are between work. Sometimes the rush can create pressure on customers, who may make transaction errors, further adding to the delay and chaos.
Best Time to Visit a bank Branch
To ensure you don’t have to wait for a long time for your turn when you visit an SBI Bank branch, avoid the busiest days and hours. Try to skip Mondays and Fridays, and plan your visit around 9-11 am or 2:30-4 pm. These days and hours usually have a lower footfall, and the waiting period is shorter. However, avoid the lunch hour and find out the same in advance. This is because the lunch hour tends to vary across branches.
Notably, the best time to visit the bank branch often depends on the transaction a customer wants to carry out. Typically, customers who plan to open a new bank account, add a nominee, or renew a fixed deposit prefer visiting during non-peak hours to avail of undivided attention and assistance from the bank staff.
Alternatively, those who want to withdraw cash or deposit the same may prefer visiting during the peak hours when there’s more staff behind the counters to handle transactions quickly.
You can also contact the bank branch to find out which time suits which banking activity and plan your visit accordingly to ensure productive output.
That said, let’s check out how to make the most of your next branch visit.
Tips to Maximize Your Time at the SBI Branch
Tip 1: Check the timings
We can’t stress the value of finding SBI bank timings enough to be sure the branch is open and operating. This ensures an organized visit and helps save time and energy in case travel to the bank is involved.
Tip 2: Carry required documents
To ensure successful transactions make sure you carry all the required documents with you on your next bank branch visit.
To begin with, keep your bank passbook, chequebook, KYC, and other documents that you may need for your banking task handy. Missing documents can cause delays and hamper your flow of transactions.
Tip 3: Find the requirements.
In case you are planning to open a new fixed deposit or a savings account or have decided to initiate an offline NEFT transfer via a bank branch, make sure to find the requirements and process them beforehand. It will save time, allow you to plan and prepare for the visit better and help you streamline the process regardless of the peak or non-peak hours.
While these can help you make the most of your bank visit, it is still recommended that you try to carry out your transactions online as much as possible. SBI net banking and mobile banking facilities ensure quick and hassle-free transactions, eliminating the need to visit the bank in person.
