Most U.S. banks close on Good Friday, but not all of them
Good Friday is a federal holiday, which means the Federal Reserve and most traditional banks shut down for the day. You will not be able to visit a branch, use ATMs at that branch, or reach customer service by phone. However, some banks stay open — particularly online-only banks, credit unions, and a few regional institutions that do not observe all federal holidays.
The key difference is whether a bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and whether it has chosen to observe Good Friday as a holiday. National banks and most state-chartered banks that are Fed members close on Good Friday. Banks that are not Fed members, or that have opted out of observing this particular holiday, may remain open.
If you need to move money on Good Friday, your options depend on what your bank is and what you are trying to do. A wire transfer initiated before the holiday will process, but one initiated on Good Friday itself will not go through until the following Monday. ATM withdrawals work at any ATM, even if your bank is closed — you can use out-of-network machines if needed, though you may pay a fee.
Key Takeaways
- Federal Reserve member banks close on Good Friday, including most major national banks and many regional banks.
- Online-only banks, some credit unions, and non-Fed-member banks may stay open on Good Friday — contact yours directly to confirm.
- ATM withdrawals work on Good Friday even when branches are closed, but wire transfers and ACH payments initiated that day will not process until Monday.
- Checks deposited on Good Friday will not clear until Tuesday at the earliest, because the banking system does not process payments on federal holidays.
Which banks typically close on Good Friday
Any bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has designated Good Friday as a holiday in its internal policies will close. This includes all national banks (those with "National" in the name or "N.A." after the name), most state-chartered banks, and the largest regional institutions. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and U.S. Bank all close on Good Friday.
The Federal Reserve itself closes on Good Friday, which means the entire interbank payment system slows down. No Fedwire transfers process, no ACH batches clear, and no check clearing happens. This affects every bank in the country, even those that technically remain open for customer-facing services.
Some smaller regional banks and community banks may stay open on Good Friday if they do not observe it as a holiday. The only way to know is to call your bank's main customer service line or check their holiday schedule on their website. Many banks publish this schedule in January or early February.
Banks and services that usually stay open on Good Friday
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Marcus by Goldman Sachs typically stay open on Good Friday because they do not have physical branches to close. You can still log into your account, initiate transfers, and manage your money. However, even these banks cannot process wire transfers or ACH payments on Good Friday itself — those requests queue up and process on Monday morning.
Many credit unions do not observe Good Friday as a holiday, particularly smaller ones. If your credit union is not a Federal Reserve member, it may remain open. Again, this varies by institution, so confirm with your credit union directly.
Mobile payment services like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App continue to work on Good Friday for peer-to-peer transfers between users. However, if you are trying to move money from your bank account to one of these services, or from these services back to your bank, that transfer will not complete until the banking system reopens on Monday.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
You can withdraw cash from any ATM on Good Friday, including ATMs at closed branches. The machines operate independently of branch hours. You can also use ATMs at other banks or in retail locations — you will pay an out-of-network fee, usually $2 to $3, but the withdrawal will go through when ready.
You cannot initiate a wire transfer on Good Friday and have it process the same day. Wire requests submitted on Good Friday will sit in a queue until Monday morning. The same applies to ACH transfers (the system most banks use for direct deposits and bill payments). If you need money to move on Good Friday, it must already be in motion — initiated before the holiday.
Checks deposited on Good Friday will not begin clearing until Tuesday. The banking system does not process check images or clear funds on federal holidays, so a Friday deposit sits until the system reopens Monday, then clears on Tuesday. This matters if you are counting on that money being available by a certain date.
How to prepare if your bank closes on Good Friday
If you know you will need cash or need to move money around Good Friday, do it on Thursday. Withdraw what you need, initiate transfers, and deposit checks before the holiday. This is the simplest approach and avoids any timing issues.
If you use online bill pay through your bank, schedule payments to go out on Thursday or wait until Monday. Payments scheduled for Good Friday may not process until Tuesday, which could cause a late payment if the bill is due Friday.
If you are expecting a direct deposit on Good Friday (such as a paycheck), it will not hit your account until Monday or Tuesday, depending on when your employer submitted the deposit and your bank's processing schedule. Plan your cash flow accordingly.
What happens to pending transactions over the Good Friday weekend
Any transaction that is already in motion — a wire transfer initiated Wednesday, a check deposited Thursday, a direct deposit submitted by your employer — will continue processing, but it will not complete until the banking system reopens. The Federal Reserve does not process payments on Good Friday, so nothing clears that day.
Transactions initiated on Good Friday itself will not enter the system until Monday morning. A wire transfer request submitted Friday afternoon will be treated as if you submitted it Monday morning. An ACH payment scheduled for Friday will process Monday instead.
Debit card transactions and credit card transactions continue to work on Good Friday because those systems operate separately from the Federal Reserve's payment infrastructure. You can swipe your card, make online purchases, and use contactless payments without interruption.
How to learn about your specific bank closes on Good Friday
Call your bank's main customer service number and ask directly. Most banks have this information readily available. You can also check your bank's website — many publish a holiday schedule that lists which days branches are closed and which services are affected.
If you bank with a large national bank, assume it closes on Good Friday unless you have confirmation otherwise. If you bank with a smaller institution, credit union, or online bank, do not assume — confirm. The difference in how your money moves can matter if you are timing a payment or transfer.
Some banks send email notifications before major holidays reminding customers of closures and any service limitations. If you receive one, save it or screenshot it so you have the information when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if my bank is closed?
Yes. Debit card transactions process through a separate system from the Federal Reserve's payment network. You can use your card at stores, ATMs, and online merchants on Good Friday without any interruption, even if your bank's branch is closed.
Will my direct deposit hit my account on Good Friday?
No. Direct deposits are ACH transfers, and the Federal Reserve does not process ACH payments on Good Friday. A deposit submitted by your employer on Thursday will likely hit Monday or Tuesday. If your employer submits it on Friday, it will not process until Monday at the earliest.
What if I need to deposit a check on Good Friday?
You can deposit it through a mobile app (most banks allow this), and the image will be captured. However, the check will not clear and the funds will not be available until Tuesday at the earliest, because the banking system does not process checks on federal holidays.
Do online banks close on Good Friday?
Online-only banks typically remain open for account access on Good Friday, but they cannot process wire transfers or ACH payments that day because the Federal Reserve is closed. You can log in and manage your account, but money transfers will not complete until Monday.
Can I get a cashier's check on Good Friday?
No. Cashier's checks are issued by bank branches, and if your bank is closed on Good Friday, you cannot get one that day. Plan ahead and request one on Thursday if you need it for a Friday transaction.