Most U.S. banks close on Good Friday, but not all of them
Yes, the vast majority of banks in the United States close on Good Friday. The Federal Reserve observes Good Friday as a holiday, which means the federal banking system shuts down that day. This affects wire transfers, ACH payments, check clearing, and any transaction that routes through the Federal Reserve's systems.
However, some banks stay open on Good Friday. Regional banks, credit unions, and online-only banks may have different holiday schedules. A few banks remain open with limited hours or full hours depending on their corporate policy and whether they serve customers in states that recognize Good Friday as a state holiday.
The safest approach is to contact your specific bank directly or check their website for their Good Friday hours. Do not assume your bank follows the Federal Reserve schedule—some do not.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve closes on Good Friday, which halts wire transfers, ACH payments, and check clearing for most banks that day.
- Some regional banks, credit unions, and online banks remain open on Good Friday or operate on reduced hours.
- You should verify your bank's specific Good Friday schedule on their website or by calling their customer service line.
- If you need to move money on Good Friday, plan ahead by initiating transfers on Thursday or waiting until Monday.
- ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases typically work on Good Friday even if the bank branch is closed.
What transactions are affected when banks close on Good Friday
When the Federal Reserve closes on Good Friday, any transaction that requires the Fed's processing network stops moving. This includes wire transfers (both domestic and international), ACH transfers (direct deposits, bill payments, transfers between accounts at different banks), and check clearing. If you deposit a check on Good Friday, it will not clear until Tuesday at the earliest.
Transactions that do not route through the Federal Reserve continue normally. ATM withdrawals work on Good Friday because ATMs operate independently. Debit card purchases go through, credit card transactions go through, and transfers between accounts at the same bank may process depending on whether your bank's internal systems are running.
Online banking platforms typically remain accessible on Good Friday so you can view balances and schedule transactions, but those transactions will not actually process until the banking system reopens on Monday.
Which banks stay open on Good Friday
Banks that remain open on Good Friday include some regional and community banks, many credit unions, and most online-only banks. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank typically close on Good Friday, but smaller institutions may not. Some banks in states where Good Friday is not a recognized holiday may stay open with full hours.
Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover generally do not observe Good Friday as a closure day, though their customer service phone lines may be closed. You can still access your account and make transfers, but processing times may be delayed because the underlying banking infrastructure is not moving money.
The only reliable way to know is to check your bank's holiday schedule. Most banks publish this on their website under "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule." If you cannot find it online, call your branch or customer service.
How to plan ahead if you need to move money around Good Friday
If you know you need to send a wire transfer, pay a bill through ACH, or deposit a check before Good Friday, do it on Thursday. The Federal Reserve processes transactions submitted on Thursday, and they will clear before the Friday closure. This gives you a full business day of buffer.
If you cannot move money until Good Friday itself, wait until Monday. Any transaction initiated on Good Friday will sit in a queue until Monday morning when the Federal Reserve reopens. There is no advantage to initiating it on Friday versus Monday—it will process at the same time either way.
For time-sensitive payments (rent, mortgage, utilities), plan to submit them by Wednesday or Thursday of that week. If a payment is due on Good Friday and you have not sent it yet, contact the recipient and let them know it will arrive Monday. Most landlords, lenders, and utility companies understand that Good Friday closures cause delays.
ATMs, debit cards, and other services that work on Good Friday
ATMs operate on Good Friday even when the bank branch is closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks into ATM envelopes (though the check will not clear until Tuesday). Debit cards work normally for purchases and cash withdrawals at any ATM, regardless of whether your bank is closed.
Credit card transactions process normally on Good Friday. Paying a credit card bill through a credit card company's website or app works because those systems run independently. However, if you are paying your credit card bill through your bank's bill pay system, that payment will not process until Monday.
Mobile banking apps remain accessible on Good Friday. You can view your balance, transfer money between your own accounts at the same bank, and schedule future transactions. Just remember that any transaction scheduled for Good Friday itself will not actually move until Monday.
Good Friday closures for specific types of financial institutions
National banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank) close on Good Friday. This is a federal requirement because they are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and must observe Federal Reserve holidays.
Credit unions vary widely. Some close on Good Friday, some stay open. The National Credit Union Administration does not mandate closure, so each credit union decides independently. Check with your credit union directly.
Online banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover, Marcus) typically do not close their platforms on Good Friday, but the underlying Federal Reserve infrastructure is still closed, so transactions do not process. Customer service phone lines may be closed.
Investment firms and brokerages (Fidelity, Vanguard, E-Trade) close on Good Friday. The stock market is closed, and settlement of trades does not occur. You can view your account but cannot execute trades.
What to do if you need cash or a service on Good Friday
If you need cash on Good Friday, use an ATM. Your bank's ATM works even if the branch is closed, and most banks allow you to withdraw from ATMs at other banks (though you may pay a fee). Plan ahead and withdraw cash on Thursday if you know you will need it.
If you need to speak to someone at your bank on Good Friday, you likely cannot. Most bank customer service lines close on federal holidays. If you have an urgent issue, look for a bank branch that is open (some regional banks or credit unions may be operating) or wait until Monday.
If you have a banking emergency on Good Friday—a fraudulent charge, a locked account, a critical payment that did not go through—document everything and contact your bank first thing Monday morning. Most banks have fraud departments that work quickly once you report an issue, even if the delay was caused by the holiday closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on Good Friday?
Yes, you can deposit a check through an ATM, mobile app, or by mailing it. However, the check will not clear until Tuesday at the earliest because the Federal Reserve does not process checks on Good Friday or the weekend. If you need the funds when ready, you cannot rely on a Good Friday deposit.
Will my direct deposit go through on Good Friday?
No. If your employer normally deposits your paycheck on Good Friday, it will be delayed until Monday. Contact your employer's payroll department if you are unsure whether they process payroll on Good Friday or the day before. Some employers move payroll to Thursday to avoid the holiday.
What if I scheduled a bill payment for Good Friday?
The payment will not process until Monday. If the bill is due on Good Friday, contact the biller when ready and explain the delay. Most companies understand that bank holidays cause processing delays. You may be able to reschedule the due date or pay by phone with a representative to avoid a late fee.
Do I lose money if a transaction is delayed because of Good Friday?
No. A delayed transaction does not cost you interest or fees unless the delay causes you to miss a important date (like a bill payment due date). If you miss a important date because of a bank holiday delay, contact the creditor and explain. Many will waive a late fee if the delay was caused by a banking system closure.
Is Good Friday a holiday everywhere in the United States?
Good Friday is a federal holiday, so the Federal Reserve and all nationally chartered banks close. However, some states do not recognize Good Friday as a state holiday, so state-chartered banks and credit unions in those states may stay open. Check your specific bank's schedule to be sure.