Yes, Christmas Day is a federal bank holiday in the United States
Christmas Day — December 25 — is a federal holiday, which means most banks close for the day. When a bank is closed, you cannot visit a branch in person, and most online services still work, but any transactions that need a person to process them will wait until the next business day.
This matters because if you need cash, a wire transfer, or help with an account problem on Christmas Day, you will have to wait. If you deposit a check on Christmas Eve, it will not process until the day after Christmas (or later, depending on your bank's processing schedule). Knowing this ahead of time helps you plan.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close on Christmas Day, so you cannot visit a branch or speak to a person, though online banking usually stays available.
- Deposits made on Christmas Day or the day before will not process until after the holiday.
- Wire transfers and other transactions requiring staff will be delayed if you initiate them on or just before Christmas.
- ATMs and mobile banking apps continue to work even when branches are closed.
- If Christmas falls on a weekend, some banks may close on the nearest weekday instead, so check your bank's holiday schedule.
What you can and cannot do when banks are closed
When your bank is closed on Christmas Day, you can still use an ATM to withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. You can also use your bank's mobile app or website to move money, pay bills, and review transactions. These services run automatically and do not need a person to approve them.
What you cannot do is deposit a check, get a cashier's check, speak to someone about a problem with your account, or complete a wire transfer. If you try to deposit a check through your phone or ATM on Christmas Day, the deposit will be recorded, but the bank will not actually process it — meaning the money will not appear in your account and the check will not clear — until the next business day.
Planning ahead for Christmas banking needs
If you know you will need cash or a specific banking service around Christmas, plan for it before December 25. Deposit checks a few days early so they clear before the holiday. If you need a wire transfer, send it before Christmas Eve. If you need a cashier's check or a document from your bank, visit the branch early in the week before Christmas.
The day after Christmas — December 26 — is a regular business day, and banks reopen. However, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, your bank may close on Friday, December 24 instead, or on Monday, December 27. Check your specific bank's holiday schedule on their website or by calling ahead, because policies vary.
How the Christmas holiday affects check processing
Banks process checks on a schedule that depends on when you deposit them and what day of the week it is. If you deposit a check on Christmas Eve (December 24), it will not process until after Christmas, which means the money will not be available until December 27 or later. If you deposit on December 26, processing begins that day.
This matters if you are counting on that money to cover a bill or payment. A check deposited on December 23 will likely clear by December 24 or 25, but one deposited on December 24 will wait. If you need the money by a certain date, deposit earlier in the week.
What happens if Christmas falls on a weekend
When Christmas Day lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal holiday observance shifts. If Christmas is on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday, December 24. If Christmas is on a Sunday, most banks close on Monday, December 26. This is called the "observed" holiday, and it means you lose a business day either before or after the actual date.
Your bank's specific policy may differ slightly, so check their website or call to confirm. Some banks observe the holiday on the actual date even if it falls on a weekend, while others follow the federal observance rule. Knowing which applies to your bank prevents confusion when you are trying to plan a transaction.
Online banking and ATMs during the Christmas holiday
Your bank's website and mobile app will work on Christmas Day, even though the branch is closed. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills to merchants, and review recent transactions. ATMs will also work, so you can withdraw cash or deposit checks (though the check will not process until the next business day).
The only services that stop are those that require a bank employee: speaking to customer service, getting a cashier's check, disputing a transaction in real time, or completing a wire transfer. If you have a question that needs a person's help, you will have to wait until December 26.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Christmas Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM and at stores, regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The bank's closure only affects services that need a person or a branch to complete.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Christmas if it is scheduled for that day?
No. Direct deposits scheduled for Christmas Day will arrive on the next business day, which is December 26 (or December 27 if Christmas falls on a Sunday and your bank observes the holiday on Monday). Contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit if you need it earlier.
What if I need to dispute a charge on Christmas Day?
You can report the issue through your bank's website or app, but a person will not review it until the next business day. If the charge is fraudulent and urgent, call the number on the back of your card — many banks have fraud lines that operate on holidays.
Can I get cash from an ATM on Christmas if I do not have enough in my account?
No. An ATM will only let you withdraw money you actually have. If you need cash and your account is low, you will have to wait until the branch reopens and you can deposit a check or transfer money in.
Do credit unions close on Christmas too?
Most credit unions close on Christmas Day, but some stay open or have limited hours. Check with your specific credit union, as their holiday schedule may differ from banks.