December 26th is not a federal bank holiday in the United States

Banks and federal offices will be open on December 26th. The day after Christmas is not recognized as a paid holiday under federal law, so most banks operate on their regular schedule. If you need to conduct banking business on December 26th, you can do so during normal business hours.

Some individual banks or credit unions may choose to close on December 26th as a courtesy to staff, but this is their own decision, not a requirement. A few states and local governments observe the day differently, but federal banking institutions follow the federal holiday calendar, which does not include December 26th.

Key Takeaways

  • December 26th is not a federal holiday, so most banks will be open and processing transactions normally.
  • Some banks may close voluntarily on December 26th, so calling ahead or checking your bank's website is the safest approach if you need to visit in person.
  • Federal offices, the Federal Reserve, and the U.S. Postal Service will all operate on their regular schedules on December 26th.
  • If you need to make time-sensitive transactions around the Christmas period, plan for December 24th or wait until December 27th to be certain your bank is open.

When banks actually close for federal holidays

Banks close on the 11 federal holidays recognized by the U.S. government. These are: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

December 25th (Christmas Day) is the only December holiday that closes federal banks. December 26th falls outside this list, which means the Federal Reserve, the Comptroller of the Currency, and all federally chartered banks operate normally. If December 25th falls on a weekend, the federal holiday observance shifts, but December 26th is never the observed date.

What happens if you need banking on December 26th

If you need to deposit checks, withdraw cash, or conduct other banking business on December 26th, your bank will likely be open. Most major banks including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank operate on their standard weekday schedule on December 26th (assuming it falls on a weekday). ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7 regardless of whether the physical branch is open.

If you are planning a transaction that requires speaking to a person—such as opening an account, explore for a loan, or resolving a dispute—call your bank ahead of time to confirm hours. Some regional banks or smaller credit unions may have different policies. Your bank's website or mobile app will show branch hours for December 26th.

Planning around the Christmas banking closure

The real closure to plan around is December 25th (Christmas Day), not December 26th. If you need to deposit a check or move money before the holiday, do so on December 24th. Deposits made on December 26th will post normally, so there is no advantage to rushing on Christmas Eve unless you need the funds when ready.

If December 25th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, banks close on the nearest weekday instead. When Christmas falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, December 24th. When Christmas falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, December 26th. In those years, December 26th becomes a federal holiday and banks will be closed. Check the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar for the specific year you are planning for.

State and local variations

A handful of states observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, but December 26th is not among them. South Carolina observes Confederate Memorial Day, and some other states have their own observances, but none of these fall on December 26th. Federal banks follow the federal calendar, not state calendars, so state holidays do not affect whether your bank is open.

Some banks may close on December 26th as a voluntary gesture to employees after the Christmas rush, but this is not required and varies by institution. If your bank is a state-chartered bank or credit union, it may follow state rules instead of federal rules, which could mean different hours. The safest approach is to check directly with your bank rather than assume based on the federal calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bank be open on December 26th?

Most likely yes, unless December 26th is the observed date for Christmas (which happens when Christmas falls on a Sunday). Call your bank or check their website to confirm hours. ATMs and online banking work 24/7 regardless.

What if I need to deposit a check on December 26th?

You can deposit checks through your bank's ATM, mobile app, or website on December 26th, and the deposit will post on the next business day. If you need to deposit in person at a branch, confirm the branch is open first.

Is December 26th a holiday in any other country?

Yes, December 26th is Boxing Day in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth nations. But in the United States, it is not a federal holiday, so U.S. banks operate normally.

What if December 25th falls on a weekend?

When Christmas falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, December 24th. When Christmas falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, December 26th. Check the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar for the year you are planning.