Yes, most banks and the post office close on Veterans Day

Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. On that day, all federal offices shut down, which includes the U.S. Postal Service and most banks. If your bank is part of a major national chain—Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, US Bank—it will be closed. Credit unions typically close as well. Some smaller regional banks may stay open, but this is uncommon.

The closure means you cannot visit a branch, use the drive-through, or speak to a teller. ATMs and online banking still work. If you need to mail something or buy stamps, you will have to wait until the next business day.

Key Takeaways

  • All U.S. Postal Service locations close on Veterans Day, and no mail is delivered that day.
  • Major national banks close on Veterans Day, but ATMs remain available for withdrawals and deposits.
  • Credit unions follow the federal holiday schedule and close on Veterans Day.
  • Some smaller regional banks may stay open, so call ahead if you are unsure about your specific branch.
  • Online banking, bill pay, and transfers work normally on Veterans Day even when branches are closed.

What the Post Office does on Veterans Day

The U.S. Postal Service treats Veterans Day as a federal holiday. All post office branches close, including the main downtown locations and small rural ones. No mail is collected from mailboxes, sorted, or delivered. If you drop something in a mailbox on Veterans Day, it will not move until November 12.

If you need to mail a package or buy stamps, you have a few options. You can order stamps online through USPS.com and print them at home. You can also buy stamps from many grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores that stay open on the holiday. For packages, you can schedule a pickup through the USPS website for the next business day, or drop off at a UPS Store or other shipping partner that may be open.

Which banks stay open and which close

Federal Reserve holidays require all banks that are members of the Federal Reserve system to close. This includes every major national bank. However, not all banks are Federal Reserve members, and some state-chartered banks operate under different rules.

In practice, nearly every bank you have heard of closes on Veterans Day. This includes Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, PNC, Capital One, and TD Bank. Credit unions, which are federally chartered in most cases, also close. If you bank at a very small local bank or a credit union that is state-chartered only, call the branch directly to confirm. The safest assumption is that your bank is closed unless you have verified otherwise.

What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day

You cannot visit a branch, speak to a teller, or use the drive-through window. You also cannot get a cashier's check, open a new account, or resolve disputes in person. If you need cash, use an ATM—these work 24/7 even when the bank is closed. If you need to transfer money, pay a bill, or check your balance, do that through online banking or your bank's mobile app.

Wire transfers initiated online may process on Veterans Day depending on your bank's system, but they often queue and process the next business day. If you need money to move urgently, initiate the transfer before Veterans Day closes. For checks you have written, they will not clear until the next business day anyway, so the holiday does not change the timeline.

Planning ahead for Veterans Day banking and mail

If you know you will need cash, withdraw it on November 10. If you need to mail something time-sensitive, send it on November 10 or wait until November 12. If you have bills due on or around November 11, pay them online a few days early so the payment posts before the holiday.

For packages that need to go out, drop them off at a UPS Store, FedEx location, or Amazon return center if you need to ship on the holiday itself. These private carriers often stay open when the post office is closed. Check their hours online first, as some locations may have reduced hours or close entirely.

What happens to mail and deposits on Veterans Day

Mail collected on November 10 will be sorted and delivered on November 12. Mail dropped in a box on November 11 will not move until November 12. Deposits made at an ATM on Veterans Day will post to your account, but the actual processing may not happen until November 12, depending on your bank's system.

If you deposit a check at an ATM on Veterans Day, the funds typically show as pending when ready, but the check does not clear the other bank until the next business day. This means the money may not be available to withdraw until November 13, even though it shows in your account on November 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card or ATM on Veterans Day?

Yes. ATMs work 24/7, and debit cards work at any merchant that is open. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and make deposits at ATMs. Online purchases and payments also process normally.

Will my direct deposit hit my account on Veterans Day?

If your employer pays on November 11, the deposit may post to your account on that day, but it depends on your bank's processing schedule. Most employers avoid payroll on federal holidays, so your deposit likely comes on November 10 or November 12 instead. Check your pay stub or employer's calendar to be sure.

What if I need to mail something on Veterans Day?

The post office is closed, so you cannot mail anything through USPS that day. Use a private carrier like UPS or FedEx, or wait until November 12. You can also order stamps online and print them at home, then mail items the next day.

Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?

Most credit unions close on Veterans Day because they follow the federal holiday schedule. Call your credit union to confirm, as a small number of state-chartered credit unions may stay open. Online banking and ATMs work even when branches are closed.

If I write a check on Veterans Day, when does it clear?

The check clears the next business day after the recipient deposits it, which is November 12 at the earliest. The Veterans Day closure does not speed up or slow down check clearing—it follows the normal timeline.