November 11 is a federal holiday, but most banks stay open

November 11 is Veterans Day, a federal holiday that honors military service members. Federal offices, courts, and the U.S. Postal Service close on this day. However, most commercial banks remain open on Veterans Day, even though it is a federal holiday. Some banks may have reduced hours or close individual branches, but the majority operate normally.

The distinction matters because federal holidays and bank holidays are not the same thing. A federal holiday means government offices shut down. A bank holiday means banks shut down. Veterans Day is one but not the other for most institutions.

Key Takeaways

  • Veterans Day on November 11 is a federal holiday, so government offices and courts close, but most banks stay open.
  • Your specific bank's hours depend on its own policy — call ahead or check your bank's website if you need to visit a branch that day.
  • ATMs and online banking work normally on Veterans Day regardless of whether your bank's physical branches are open.
  • If you need to deposit a check or handle a transaction that requires a teller, plan for the day before or after.
  • Some banks observe Veterans Day as a holiday and close; this is rare but happens at a small number of regional or community banks.

Why banks stay open when the government closes

Banks are private businesses, not government agencies. They set their own holiday schedules. The Federal Reserve does not operate on federal holidays, which affects some banking operations behind the scenes, but consumer-facing bank branches are not required to close just because the government does.

Most large banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — remain open on Veterans Day with standard or slightly reduced hours. Smaller regional banks and credit unions vary. Some close on all federal holidays; others stay open on most of them.

What actually closes on Veterans Day

Federal offices, including Social Security offices, IRS field offices, and Veterans Affairs offices, are closed on November 11. U.S. courts do not hold proceedings. The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail or operate post offices. Federal employees have the day off.

Stock markets (NYSE and NASDAQ) close on Veterans Day. This affects trading but not your ability to access your own money through a bank.

How to learn about your bank is open

The safest approach is to contact your bank directly. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card, text your bank's customer service line, or visit your bank's website. Most banks post holiday hours online in early November.

If you use a large national bank, you can usually assume your branch will be open, but hours may be shorter. If you bank at a smaller institution, credit union, or community bank, call to confirm. Do not assume based on what another bank does.

What you can do on Veterans Day regardless of branch hours

ATMs work 24/7 on Veterans Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using any ATM, whether your bank's branches are open or not.

Online banking and mobile apps work normally. You can pay bills, transfer money between accounts, deposit checks using mobile deposit, and send money to other people. These services do not depend on whether a physical branch is staffed.

If you need to do something that requires speaking to a person — dispute a transaction, open a new account, explore for a loan, or handle a complex issue — plan to do it on November 10 or November 12.

Planning ahead for Veterans Day banking

If you know you will need to visit a branch on or around November 11, visit on November 10 instead. This avoids any uncertainty about hours and ensures you can speak to someone if needed.

If you are expecting a deposit or payment on November 11, remember that the Federal Reserve does not process transactions that day. A check deposited on November 11 will not clear until November 12 at the earliest, even if your bank is open. Transfers between banks may also be delayed by one day.

If you receive Social Security, Veterans Affairs benefits, or other federal payments, check whether your payment date falls on November 11. Federal payments scheduled for a federal holiday are usually sent the day before instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bank be open on November 11?

Most large banks are open on Veterans Day with normal or slightly reduced hours. Call your bank or check its website to confirm. Small banks and credit unions vary — some close on all federal holidays, others stay open.

Can I use my ATM on Veterans Day?

Yes. ATMs work 24/7 on Veterans Day. You can withdraw cash, check balances, and transfer money between your own accounts anytime, whether your bank's branches are open or not.

Will my check deposit clear on Veterans Day?

No. The Federal Reserve does not process transactions on federal holidays. A check deposited on November 11 will not clear until November 12 at the earliest. Deposit on November 10 if you need the money to clear the same day.

Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?

Most credit unions stay open on Veterans Day, but policies vary by institution. Some close on all federal holidays. Contact your credit union directly to confirm their hours for November 11.

What if I need to visit the VA or Social Security on November 11?

Both the Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security Administration close on federal holidays. Schedule your visit for November 10 or November 12, or handle your business online if possible.