Most banks are closed on Presidents Day, but your money is still accessible
Presidents Day falls on the third Monday in February each year. On that day, most banks in the United States close their physical branches and do not process new transactions. However, you can still access your money through ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps — those services run 24/7 even when branches are closed.
The closure affects in-person services only. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash at a teller window, or speak to someone face-to-face, you will have to wait until the next business day. Any deposits you make at an ATM or through mobile deposit will process the next business day, not when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close their physical branches on Presidents Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available around the clock.
- Checks deposited through ATMs or mobile apps on Presidents Day will not process until the next business day.
- Wire transfers and bill payments you schedule online may not go through until after the holiday, depending on when you submit them.
- If you need cash or in-person banking services, plan ahead and visit your branch on Friday or earlier in the week.
- The Federal Reserve does not process payments on Presidents Day, so any transactions routed through the Fed will be delayed.
What you can and cannot do on Presidents Day
ATMs work normally on Presidents Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts at any time. Mobile banking apps also work as usual — you can check balances, pay bills online, and deposit checks by taking photos of both sides.
What stops working is anything that requires a bank employee or the Federal Reserve's payment system. You cannot speak to a teller, get a cashier's check, open a new account, or get a loan approved. Wire transfers you initiate on Presidents Day will not leave your bank until the next business day. Bill payments scheduled for Presidents Day may process the next day instead, depending on your bank's system.
Debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals are not affected — those go through your bank's network, not the Federal Reserve. Your card will work at stores and restaurants just as it does on any other day.
When deposits and payments actually process
The timing depends on how you deposit money or send it. If you use a mobile app to photograph a check on Presidents Day, that image is stored but not sent to the bank's processing center until the next business day. The check then takes the normal time to clear — usually one to three business days after that.
If you deposit a check at an ATM on Presidents Day, the same delay applies. The ATM accepts the check, but the bank does not process it until Tuesday. Some banks show the deposit in your account when ready (as a "pending" transaction), but the money is not actually yours to spend until it clears.
Bill payments you schedule online before Presidents Day will go out on the day you chose, even if that day is the holiday. But if you schedule a payment for Presidents Day itself, most banks will send it the next business day instead. Wire transfers always wait until the next business day if you request them on a holiday.
Planning ahead to avoid delays
If you need cash, visit your bank on Friday before the holiday. ATMs have daily withdrawal limits — usually between $300 and $1,000 depending on your account type — so plan how much you will need for the weekend and Monday.
If you need to deposit a check before a important date, use mobile deposit on Friday instead of waiting until Monday. The check will process on Monday rather than Tuesday, which can matter if you are close to a due date or if the check needs to clear before you spend the money.
For bill payments, schedule them for the day before Presidents Day if the due date is close. This ensures they leave your bank on time. If a bill is due on Presidents Day itself, contact the company directly — many will accept late payments if you can show you submitted payment before the holiday.
What happens if you need a teller on Presidents Day
Some banks operate limited services on certain holidays, but Presidents Day is a federal holiday, so nearly all banks close completely. A few credit unions or smaller community banks may stay open — call ahead if you think yours might.
If you have an urgent banking need on Presidents Day, your options are limited to ATMs and online services. If you truly cannot wait until Tuesday, some banks have customer service phone lines open on holidays, though they cannot process transactions — they can only answer questions or help you troubleshoot online banking.
How Presidents Day affects other financial services
The stock market is closed on Presidents Day, so you cannot buy or sell stocks or mutual funds. If you have a brokerage account, any trades you place on the holiday will execute the next business day at the next market open.
Government offices are also closed, so if you need to renew a passport, get a tax document, or handle Social Security business, you will have to wait until Tuesday. Credit reporting agencies and credit card companies operate normally — you can still check your credit score and make payments online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day?
Yes. Debit card purchases at stores, restaurants, and online retailers work normally on Presidents Day. ATM withdrawals also work as usual. The holiday only affects services that require bank employees or the Federal Reserve's payment system.
Will a check I deposit on Presidents Day clear by Wednesday?
Probably not. A check deposited on Presidents Day (Monday) will not be processed until Tuesday, then takes one to three business days to clear after that. If you need the money by Wednesday, deposit it on Friday instead.
What if I scheduled a bill payment for Presidents Day and forgot?
Contact your bank or the company you are paying as soon as possible. Most will delay the payment to the next business day automatically. If a bill is due on the holiday itself, call the company — many accept payments submitted before the holiday as on-time.
Do online banks close on Presidents Day?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. However, they still cannot process certain transactions because the Federal Reserve is closed. Wire transfers, ACH transfers, and some bill payments will be delayed until Tuesday.
Can I get a cashier's check on Presidents Day?
No. Cashier's checks require a teller, and all bank branches are closed on Presidents Day. If you need one urgently, get it on Friday. Some banks can issue them through online banking, but this is rare — call your bank ahead of time to ask.