Chennai, Dec 2 (IANS): Banking transactions were hit in the five southern states and the union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep Tuesday with around 150,000 bank staff striking work demanding early conclusion of wage revision, said a union leader.

"Around 150,000 employees struck work across the five southern states and Puducherry Tuesday demanding early wage revision," C.H.Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees' Association (AIEBA) told IANS.

He said the strike call was given by United Forum of Bank Unions comprising of five employee unions and four officer's unions.

The strike impacted banking operations in Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.

He said around 23,000 out of around 28,000 bank branches remained closed, while 2.5 crore cheques worth about Rs.1,75,000 crores are reported to be held up for clearance because of the strike.

Venkatachalam said the unions have called a relay strike to press their demands.

"Tomorrow (Wednesday), banks in northern region would go on strike followed by banks in eastern region Thursday and western region Friday," he said.