Most banks close on Presidents Day, but some branches and services stay available
Yes, most banks close on Presidents Day (the third Monday in February). The Federal Reserve observes it as a holiday, which means the banking system itself shuts down — no wire transfers, no check clearing, no inter-bank transactions. Your local branch will be closed, and you won't be able to visit a teller or use the lobby ATM.
But the picture is more complicated than a straightforward closed sign. Online banking continues to work. ATMs in the wall outside your branch still dispense cash. Some banks operate limited hours at select locations. Credit unions may have different schedules. And if you bank with a large national institution, you might find a branch open in a nearby town.
The key is knowing what you actually need to do on that day — and planning ahead if it requires a teller or a manager's signature.
Key Takeaways
- Federal holiday closures mean the Federal Reserve is closed, so no wire transfers or check clearing happens on Presidents Day, even if your bank branch is open.
- ATMs work on Presidents Day because they are separate machines; online banking and mobile apps continue to function normally.
- Large national banks often close all branches on Presidents Day, while some regional banks and credit unions may stay open or operate limited hours.
- Transactions you initiate online or through ATM on Presidents Day will process the next business day, not when ready.
- If you need to speak to a person or sign documents, you must do it before Presidents Day or wait until the next day.
What actually stops working on Presidents Day
The Federal Reserve closes on Presidents Day, which halts the backbone of the banking system. This means wire transfers don't move, checks don't clear, and ACH transfers (the system that moves money between accounts at different banks) don't process. If you send a wire transfer on Presidents Day, it sits in a queue until Tuesday morning.
Your bank branch itself is also closed. You cannot walk in, speak to a teller, deposit a check at the counter, or access a safe deposit box. If you need a cashier's check, a loan signature, or a notary, you have to wait.
Debit card transactions and credit card purchases still work — those run on separate networks that don't observe federal holidays. Your card will go through at a store or online retailer on Presidents Day just as it would any other day.
What continues to work on Presidents Day
ATMs operate normally on Presidents Day because they are standalone machines that don't depend on the Federal Reserve being open. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks into an ATM envelope, and check your balance at any ATM — including ones outside your bank's branch.
Online banking and mobile apps work on Presidents Day. You can log in, view your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up future transactions. Those transactions won't actually move until the next business day, but you can initiate them.
Debit and credit card transactions process normally. Purchases you make at stores or online go through on Presidents Day. Recurring bill payments that are set to draft on that day will still draft.
Which banks stay open or have limited hours on Presidents Day
Large national banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank — typically close all branches on Presidents Day. A few may operate a single location in major cities with limited hours (usually 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), but this is rare and varies by year.
Regional and community banks vary widely. Some close entirely; others stay open with normal hours or reduced hours. Credit unions often have different schedules than banks and may stay open. Your best move is to call your branch directly a few days before Presidents Day and ask their specific hours.
Online-only banks (Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, Discover Bank) have no physical branches, so there is no location to close. You bank entirely through the app or website, which operates on Presidents Day.
What to do if you need banking services on Presidents Day
If you need cash, use an ATM. If you need to deposit a check, use an ATM envelope or mobile deposit (most banks let you photograph a check through the app). If you need to pay a bill, set it up online or through your app — it will process the next business day.
If you need to speak to someone, call your bank's customer service line. Most banks staff phone support on federal holidays, though wait times are longer. You won't be able to visit a branch, but you can often resolve account questions, report fraud, or request a stop payment over the phone.
If you need a wire transfer, cashier's check, loan signature, or notary service, you must do it before Presidents Day. These services require a person and cannot be completed online. Plan ahead if you know you'll need one of these on or around that Monday.
When transactions actually post after Presidents Day
Any transaction you initiate on Presidents Day — a wire transfer, an ACH transfer, a check deposit through mobile app — will process on Tuesday, the next business day. The Federal Reserve doesn't clear anything on the holiday itself.
If you deposit a check through an ATM on Presidents Day, it enters the queue and clears Tuesday. If you set up a bill payment online on Presidents Day, it drafts Tuesday. If you transfer money between your accounts on Presidents Day, the money moves Tuesday.
This matters if you're trying to cover a bill that's due on Tuesday. Initiating the payment on Presidents Day won't get the money there in time. You need to do it on Friday or earlier.
Planning ahead for Presidents Day banking needs
Check your bank's website or call your branch in early February to confirm their Presidents Day hours. Don't assume — policies change, and some banks adjust their schedules year to year.
If you need cash, withdraw it on Friday. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit or an ATM on Friday. If you need a wire transfer or any service that requires a person, complete it Friday or wait until Tuesday.
If you have a bill due on Tuesday and you're cutting it close, initiate the payment on Friday. The extra day of processing time is worth the peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day?
Yes. Debit card transactions process normally on Presidents Day because they run on separate networks from the Federal Reserve. You can make purchases at stores and online, and the transaction will go through the same day.
Will my direct deposit hit my account on Presidents Day if it's scheduled for that day?
No. Direct deposits are processed through the ACH system, which the Federal Reserve operates. If your direct deposit is scheduled for Presidents Day, it will deposit on Tuesday instead. Check with your employer if you're unsure of the exact date.
What if I need to deposit a check on Presidents Day?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app — photograph the front and back of the check and submit it. The check will clear on Tuesday. If your bank doesn't offer mobile deposit, use an ATM envelope deposit, and the check will be processed Tuesday.
Can I still pay bills online on Presidents Day?
Yes, you can set up bill payments through your online banking or app on Presidents Day. The payment will initiate and process on Tuesday. If the bill is due on Tuesday, this timing may be too late — contact your biller to confirm when they need to receive the payment.
Do credit unions close on Presidents Day?
Most credit unions close on Presidents Day, but some stay open with limited hours. Call your credit union directly to confirm their schedule. Online banking and ATMs at credit unions work the same way as at banks.