Although private banks continued to operate as usual majority of trade and industry was hit by the strike by staff of 25 nationalised banks who are demanding revision of wages and a second option for pension among other things.

The Indian Banks' Association (IBA), a grouping of public sector banks, is yet to formally respond to the demands of the striking employees.

"The strike has been very very successful. Operations in most of the banks have been completely hit," United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) convener C H Venkatachalam had said on Thursday.

The UFBU is an umbrella body of nine bank employees unions of the country and claims to have members from public, private and foreign banks.