Most U.S. banks close on Good Friday, but not all
Good Friday is a federal holiday, which means the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury close. Most major banks follow the federal calendar and shut their branches on Good Friday. However, some banks stay open, and the ones that do vary by region and by institution. If you need to do banking on Good Friday, you should check with your specific bank rather than assume it will be closed.
The date of Good Friday changes each year because it is tied to Easter, which is calculated based on the lunar calendar. In 2024, Good Friday falls on March 29. In 2025, it is April 18. The Federal Reserve publishes its holiday schedule each year on its website, and most major banks publish theirs on their own sites or in their mobile apps.
Key Takeaways
- Good Friday is a federal holiday, so the Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury, and most major bank branches close for the day.
- Some regional and online banks stay open on Good Friday, so you need to check your bank's specific holiday schedule.
- ATMs and mobile banking apps work on Good Friday even when branches are closed, so you can still withdraw cash and transfer money.
- If you need to deposit a check or speak to a banker in person, plan ahead and do it the day before or the Monday after.
Which major banks close on Good Friday
The largest U.S. banks—Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and U.S. Bank—all close their branches on Good Friday. These closures explore to all or nearly all of their locations nationwide. If you have an account at one of these banks, you will not be able to visit a branch or speak to a representative in person on Good Friday.
Credit unions typically follow the same pattern. Most credit unions close on Good Friday because they are members of the CO-OP Network and Shared Branch network, which coordinate holiday schedules. However, some smaller or regional credit unions may have different policies, so checking your credit union's website is still worth doing.
Banks and services that may stay open
Online-only banks and some regional banks do not always close on Good Friday. Banks like Charles Schwab Bank, Ally Bank, and other digital-first institutions may keep their customer service lines open or maintain limited operations. However, even if the bank itself stays open, the Federal Reserve's closure means that certain transactions—like wire transfers or clearing checks—will not process until the next business day.
Some banks in states where Good Friday is not a state holiday may keep branches open, though this is rare. A few banks in the South and Midwest have experimented with staying open on Good Friday, but the practice is not widespread. Your best approach is to log into your bank's website or call the customer service number on the back of your card to confirm.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
ATMs work on Good Friday regardless of whether your bank's branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at ATMs that accept mobile deposits. Mobile banking apps also function normally, so you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills online, and send money to other people through services like Zelle or your bank's own transfer system.
What you cannot do on Good Friday is conduct transactions that require the Federal Reserve to be open. Wire transfers will not send until the next business day. Checks you deposit will not clear until the next business day. If you need to speak to a banker about a problem with your account, you will have to wait until Saturday (if your bank is open then) or Monday. Cashier's checks and money orders typically cannot be obtained on Good Friday either.
Planning ahead for Good Friday banking
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check on or around Good Friday, do it on Thursday instead. Most banks are open Thursday morning and afternoon, and deposits made Thursday will clear by Friday or Saturday depending on your bank's schedule. If you are waiting for a wire transfer or a check to clear, assume it will not happen until the Tuesday after Good Friday, since Monday is often when banks catch up on the backlog from the holiday.
If you have a time-sensitive transaction—like paying a bill that is due on Friday—do it online through your bank's bill pay system on Thursday. Bill pay transactions process even when branches are closed, and the payment will be scheduled for the correct date. For checks you write yourself, mail them earlier in the week so they arrive before Good Friday.
Good Friday closures at other financial institutions
Stock markets close on Good Friday, so if you trade stocks or have a brokerage account, you cannot buy or sell on that day. Bond markets also close. However, you can still place orders through your brokerage app or website, and they will execute when the market opens on Monday.
Insurance companies, mortgage lenders, and other financial services typically close on Good Friday as well. If you are in the middle of a mortgage process or need to file an insurance claim, plan to do it Thursday or wait until Monday. Some mortgage lenders and insurance companies have online portals that accept submissions 24/7, so check whether yours does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM on Good Friday, regardless of whether your bank's branches are closed. The only transactions that might be delayed are those that require the Federal Reserve to process them, like wire transfers or check clearing.
Will my direct deposit come through on Good Friday?
Direct deposits scheduled for Good Friday may arrive on Thursday or may be delayed until Monday, depending on your employer's payroll system and your bank. Ask your employer's payroll department when they process payroll around Good Friday, and contact your bank if a deposit you expected does not arrive by Friday afternoon.
What if I need to deposit a check on Good Friday?
Use your bank's mobile app to deposit the check if it has mobile deposit. The check will be processed when the Federal Reserve reopens on Monday. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, wait until Saturday or Monday to deposit it in person or at an ATM.
Do banks open on Saturday after Good Friday?
Some banks open on Saturday, but most do not. Check your bank's hours on its website or app. If your bank is closed Saturday, you will have to wait until Monday to visit a branch.
Will my bill payments process on Good Friday?
Bill payments you schedule through your bank's bill pay system will process on the date you specify, even if that date is Good Friday. However, the payment may not reach the recipient until the next business day. For bills due on Friday, schedule the payment for Thursday to be safe.