New Delhi, Aug 7 - A strike by over a million employees of 25 state-run banks was affecting both individual and corporate customers Friday, the second day of the two-day strike over wages and pensions.

While bank managements tried to keep automated teller machines (ATMs) across the country supplied with cash, cheques were not being cleared, delaying payments all around.

'Eighty five percent of the bank branches have reported closed. It's difficult to quantify how much business has been affected, but there will be hardship for the people,' K. Unnikrishnan, senior vice president and deputy chief executive of the Indian Bank Association (IBA), a body representing bank managements, told IANS.

'Cheques will be cleared on Saturday but the remittances will happen only by Tuesday. However, online remittances are on, which will help reduce the impact of the disruption,' added Unnikrishnan.