Most banks close on Memorial Day, but some branches and services stay available
Memorial Day is a federal holiday, which means most banks observe it and close their physical branches. If you need cash or want to visit a teller, you will not be able to do so at a traditional bank branch on Memorial Day itself. However, the picture is more complicated than a straightforward yes or no — some banking services run anyway, and some banks operate differently than others.
The banks that close are the large national ones: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, and most regional banks all shut their branch locations on Memorial Day. Credit unions typically close as well. But ATMs stay open 24/7 regardless of the holiday, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance any time. Online banking — transfers, bill pay, checking your account — works the same way it does on any other day. Mobile apps do not stop.
Some smaller banks and credit unions may have different schedules, so if you bank somewhere local, it is worth checking their website or calling ahead. A few banks keep one or two branches open in major cities even on federal holidays, though this is rare.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Memorial Day because it is a federal holiday, but ATMs and online banking work normally.
- Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all close their branches on Memorial Day.
- Credit unions typically close on Memorial Day, though some smaller ones may have different hours — check with your institution.
- You can still deposit checks through mobile apps, transfer money online, and withdraw cash from ATMs on Memorial Day.
- If you need to speak to a person, most banks resume normal hours the day after Memorial Day.
What you can and cannot do on Memorial Day
ATMs work all day and night, so you can withdraw cash, deposit checks through a mobile deposit feature, and check your balance whenever you want. Online banking portals and mobile apps function normally — you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and send money to other people. Debit cards work at any merchant that accepts them.
What you cannot do is walk into a branch and speak to a teller. You cannot deposit a check by hand, get a cashier's check, open a new account, or explore for a loan in person. If you need a wire transfer or a certified check, you will have to wait until the next business day. Some banks let you schedule these services online to process the moment they reopen, but the actual transaction will not complete until after the holiday.
If you use a bank that offers 24/7 phone support, you may be able to call and ask questions, but most banks do not staff customer service on federal holidays. Check your bank's website or the back of your debit card to see if they list a holiday support number.
How to plan ahead if you need cash or services
If you know you will need cash over the Memorial Day weekend, withdraw it before Friday. ATMs have daily withdrawal limits that vary by bank — usually between $300 and $1,000 — so plan accordingly. If you need more than your limit allows, withdraw on Thursday and Friday if possible.
If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit through your bank's app. Take a photo of the front and back of the check, and it will be processed when the bank reopens. Most banks credit mobile deposits within one business day, sometimes the same day if you deposit early enough.
For anything that requires a person — a wire transfer, a new account, a loan process — do it before the holiday or wait until Tuesday. If you are in a true emergency and need to reach your bank, look for a 24/7 customer service number on your statement or the bank's website, though response times may be slow.
Credit unions and smaller banks may have different schedules
Credit unions are federally chartered or state-chartered institutions, and most of them close on federal holidays just like banks do. However, some credit unions are part of shared branching networks, which means you can visit a different credit union's branch and conduct basic transactions even if your own branch is closed. Check your credit union's website to see if they participate in shared branching and where the nearest open branch is.
Smaller regional banks sometimes stay open on holidays or keep limited hours. If you bank at a local institution, call ahead or check their website to confirm their Memorial Day schedule. Some banks post holiday hours online a week or two in advance.
Online banks and fintech services
Banks that operate only online — like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover — do not have physical branches, so there is nothing to close. You can transfer money, check your balance, and manage your account normally on Memorial Day. However, if you need to deposit a physical check, you will use mobile deposit just like you would with a traditional bank, and processing times are the same.
Payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App work on holidays because they are not banks — they are technology platforms. You can send and receive money through these apps on Memorial Day without any interruption, though the actual bank transfer behind the scenes may take longer if it involves a bank that is closed.
What happens to pending transactions over the holiday
If you initiated a transfer or bill payment before the holiday, it will process on the next business day after the bank reopens. The transaction sits in a queue and moves through once the bank's systems come back online. This means a bill payment you schedule for Friday may not actually leave your account until Wednesday, even though you submitted it days earlier.
Deposits work the same way. A check you deposit on Friday through mobile deposit will be processed and credited to your account on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on your bank's processing schedule. If you need the money sooner, deposit it before Thursday.
Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank usually process when ready or within a few hours, even across a holiday, because they do not require the bank's processing department to review them. But transfers to another bank may be delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Memorial Day?
Yes. Your debit card works at any store, restaurant, or ATM on Memorial Day. The merchant's system will process the transaction normally. You can also use it to withdraw cash from any ATM, regardless of which bank owns it.
Will my direct deposit process on Memorial Day?
No. If your employer normally deposits your paycheck on Monday and Monday is Memorial Day, the deposit will process on Tuesday instead. Your employer's payroll system will not send the money until the bank is open to receive it.
What if I need to deposit a check urgently?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app — take photos of the front and back of the check and submit it. The check will be processed when the bank reopens, usually within one business day. Some banks credit mobile deposits the same day if submitted early enough.
Do banks charge fees for using ATMs on holidays?
No. ATM fees are the same on holidays as any other day. If your bank charges you for using an out-of-network ATM, that fee applies on Memorial Day just like it does on a regular Tuesday. Your own bank's ATMs are always free.
Can I open a new account on Memorial Day?
Not in a physical branch. Some banks let you open accounts online through their website or app, and that process works on holidays. But if you need to speak to someone or sign documents in person, you will have to wait until Tuesday.