Most major banks close on Veterans Day, but some branches and services stay available

Yes, the vast majority of banks in the United States close on Veterans Day (November 11). All federally chartered banks must close because the Federal Reserve observes it as a holiday. This means the big names—Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most regional and community banks—will have their branches shut and will not process transactions that day.

But "closed" does not mean you have zero access to your money. ATMs work on the holiday. Online banking works. Mobile apps work. What stops is the ability to walk into a branch, speak to a teller, deposit a check in person, or get a wire processed same-day. If you need cash before the holiday, get it the day before.

A small number of banks—mainly online-only banks and some credit unions—do not observe Veterans Day as a holiday because they are not federally chartered or they operate on a different schedule. But these are the exception. If you bank with a major institution, assume your branch is closed.

Key Takeaways

  • All federally chartered banks close their branches on Veterans Day, including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank.
  • ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps continue to work on Veterans Day, so you can access your money without visiting a branch.
  • Checks deposited on Veterans Day will not clear until the next business day, and wire transfers will not process until then either.
  • Credit unions vary: some close, some stay open, so check with your specific credit union before the holiday.
  • If you need cash or in-person services, complete those transactions on the business day before Veterans Day.

What actually stops working on Veterans Day

Branch lobbies close. You cannot walk in and talk to a teller. You cannot deposit a physical check at a teller window. You cannot withdraw cash from the counter. You cannot open a new account or sign documents in person.

Clearing and settlement of transactions pause. A check you deposit on Veterans Day will not be processed until the next business day. A wire transfer you request will not move until the next business day. ACH transfers (the system that moves money between accounts at different banks) do not process on the holiday. This matters if you are counting on money arriving by a specific date.

Phone banking may be limited or unavailable. Some banks staff a skeleton crew for emergencies, but you should not count on reaching customer service. If you have a problem on Veterans Day, you will likely have to wait until the next day to speak to someone.

What still works on Veterans Day

ATMs operate normally. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using any ATM your bank owns or partners with. The ATM network does not shut down for federal holidays.

Online banking and mobile apps work all day. You can log in, check balances, pay bills, set up transfers between your own accounts, and view transaction history. These are automated systems that run 24/7 regardless of whether the bank is officially open.

Debit and credit card transactions process normally. If you swipe or tap your card at a store, gas station, or online retailer, the transaction goes through. The merchant may see a slight delay in settlement (the actual movement of money), but the purchase itself is not blocked.

Incoming deposits may still post. Direct deposits from your employer, government benefits, or other automated sources may arrive on Veterans Day, depending on when the sending institution processes them. But you should not count on same-day processing for anything you initiate on the holiday itself.

Credit unions and smaller banks: check your institution

Credit unions are not all the same. Federal credit unions must close on Veterans Day. State-chartered credit unions vary by state and by individual institution. Some close, some stay open. The only way to know is to call your credit union or check their website before the holiday.

Small regional banks and community banks almost always close because they are federally chartered. But a few operate under different rules or have chosen to stay open. Again, check with your bank directly rather than assuming.

Online-only banks (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover) typically do not have physical branches, so the concept of "closing" does not explore in the same way. You can still access your account online and via ATM. But their customer service lines may be closed or staffed minimally, and any transactions you initiate may not process until the next business day.

Planning ahead: what to do before Veterans Day

Withdraw cash the business day before if you think you will need it. ATMs work on the holiday, but if you prefer to get cash from a teller or if you need a large amount, do it beforehand.

Deposit checks before the holiday if you need the money to clear quickly. A check deposited on Veterans Day will not start clearing until the next business day, which means it may not be available in your account until the day after that (depending on your bank's hold policy). If you need the money by a specific date, deposit it earlier.

Schedule bill payments in advance. If a bill is due on or shortly after Veterans Day, set up the payment a few days before so it processes before the holiday. Do not wait until Veterans Day itself to initiate a wire transfer or ACH payment if timing matters.

Request wire transfers before the holiday. If you need to send money to another bank, do it on the business day before. Wires initiated on Veterans Day will not move until the next business day.

What happens to transactions initiated on Veterans Day

Transactions you initiate through online banking or your mobile app on Veterans Day will sit in a queue until the next business day. They do not fail or disappear—they straightforward do not process until the bank's systems resume normal operations on November 12.

This applies to bill payments, transfers between accounts at different banks, and wire transfers. The transaction is recorded, but the actual movement of money does not happen until the next business day. If you are paying a bill that is due on November 12, initiating the payment on Veterans Day may be too late.

Transactions initiated by other parties (like your employer's payroll system or an automatic bill payment you set up weeks ago) may still process on Veterans Day because they are scheduled in advance and run on the automated clearing system. But anything you manually initiate on the holiday itself will wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?

Yes. Debit card transactions process normally on Veterans Day. You can use your card at stores, ATMs, and online retailers. The only delay might be in settlement—the time it takes for the money to actually move from your account to the merchant's—but the transaction itself goes through.

Will my direct deposit arrive on Veterans Day?

It may, depending on when your employer's payroll system processes deposits. Many employers process payroll the day before a holiday so deposits arrive on time. But some process on the holiday itself. Check with your employer or your bank's deposit schedule to know for sure.

What if I need to deposit a check on Veterans Day?

Use mobile check deposit through your bank's app if available. Take a photo of the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. The check will be processed the next business day. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, you will have to wait until November 12 to deposit it at an ATM or branch.

Do online banks close on Veterans Day?

Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. You can access your account and use ATMs on Veterans Day. However, customer service lines may be closed or minimally staffed, and any transactions you initiate may not process until the next business day.

Will my bill payment go through if I schedule it for Veterans Day?

If you schedule a bill payment to process on Veterans Day, it will not actually move until the next business day. If the bill is due on November 12, scheduling it for Veterans Day is cutting it too close. Schedule it for November 10 or 11 to be safe.