Yes, most banks close on Columbus Day
Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means most banks observe it and close their doors. If you have a transaction you need to complete, you will not be able to do it in person at a branch on that day. However, the specifics depend on which bank you use and where you live, because not every state recognizes Columbus Day the same way.
The federal government observes Columbus Day on the second Monday in October. Banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System — which includes most large national banks and many regional ones — close on this day. This means you cannot visit a branch, speak to a teller, or use most in-person services. ATMs and online banking typically remain available.
Some states and territories do not observe Columbus Day at all. In those places, banks may stay open even though it is a federal holiday. South Dakota, Hawaii, and some other states have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day or do not recognize it officially. If you live in one of these states, call your bank directly to confirm whether they will be open, because the answer varies by institution.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks close on Columbus Day because it is a federal holiday, though some regional banks in states that do not recognize it may stay open.
- ATMs and online banking services usually remain available even when branches are closed.
- If you need to complete a transaction in person, plan ahead and visit your bank the day before or after Columbus Day.
- Calling your specific bank is the only way to know for certain whether your branch will be open, since policies vary by institution and location.
- Checks and electronic transfers you submit before the holiday will process, but may not clear until the next business day.
What you can and cannot do on Columbus Day
When your bank is closed on Columbus Day, you lose access to in-person services. You cannot speak to a banker, deposit checks at a teller window, withdraw cash from a teller, or use a safe deposit box. If you need cash, you can use an ATM if your bank has one and you have a debit card.
Online and mobile banking work normally. You can check your balance, 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. These transactions may not process until the next business day, but you can initiate them on the holiday itself.
Checks you write and deposit before the holiday will be processed, but they may not clear until after the holiday because the banking system itself is closed. The same is true for electronic transfers you submit — they enter the queue but do not move through the system until banks reopen.
How to plan around Columbus Day closures
If you know you will need to visit your bank around Columbus Day, do it the day before. Deposit checks, withdraw cash, or handle any other in-person business on Friday if Columbus Day falls on Monday. This gives you a buffer and ensures you have what you need before the holiday.
If you need to send money to someone, use online banking or a mobile app rather than waiting to visit a branch. Electronic transfers initiated before the holiday will process on the next business day, which is usually faster than a check anyway. If the person you are sending money to needs it urgently, tell them when you are sending it and that it may take an extra day to arrive.
For recurring bills or regular transfers, set them up through online banking to happen automatically. This way you do not have to remember to do them around the holiday. Most banks allow you to schedule transfers days or weeks in advance.
Which banks stay open on Columbus Day
Most national banks close on Columbus Day. This includes Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and similar large institutions. Credit unions that are part of the federal system also close. However, some smaller regional banks and community banks may stay open, especially if they are located in a state that does not officially recognize Columbus Day.
The only way to know whether your specific bank will be open is to check their website or call the branch directly. Many banks post their holiday schedule online, usually under "Hours" or "Locations." If you cannot find it online, a quick phone call to your branch will give you a definitive answer.
Online-only banks do not have branches, so the question of closure does not explore to them in the same way. However, their customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be closed entirely on Columbus Day. Check your bank's website for their specific holiday schedule.
What happens to deposits and payments on Columbus Day
If you deposit a check at an ATM on Columbus Day, it will be processed when the bank reopens the next business day. The funds may not be available when ready — most banks hold checks for one to two business days anyway — but the deposit itself will be recorded.
If you pay a bill online on Columbus Day, the payment will be scheduled for the next business day unless you specifically chose a different date. Your bill will not be late as long as you submit the payment before the due date, even if it does not actually process until after Columbus Day.
If you have automatic payments set up — like a mortgage payment or utility bill — they will process on their normal schedule. The holiday does not interrupt automatic transactions. However, if an automatic payment is scheduled for Columbus Day itself, it will process on the next business day instead.
States and territories that do not observe Columbus Day
Several states have officially replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day or do not recognize it as a holiday. These include Hawaii, South Dakota, Alaska, and some others. In these places, the federal government still observes the holiday, but state government offices and some local institutions may not.
Banks in these states may or may not close, depending on whether they are federally chartered or state chartered, and on their own policies. A federally chartered bank in Hawaii might still close because it follows federal holidays. A state-chartered bank in the same location might stay open. This is why calling your bank is essential — the state you live in does not determine the answer by itself.
If you live in one of these states and your bank stays open on Columbus Day, you can conduct business as usual. However, you may experience delays if you are transferring money to someone whose bank is closed, because the receiving bank will not process the transaction until they reopen.
Planning for the next Columbus Day
Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October every year. In 2024, it is October 14. In 2025, it is October 13. Mark it on your calendar if you know you will need to visit your bank around that time.
If you have a major transaction coming up — like depositing a large check or withdrawing cash for a big purchase — plan to do it the Friday before or the Tuesday after. This removes any risk of the holiday interfering with your plans.
For routine transactions, online banking makes the holiday irrelevant. You can handle most banking needs from your phone or computer at any time, holiday or not. If you have not set up online banking yet, doing so before Columbus Day gives you one less thing to worry about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM on Columbus Day?
Yes, most ATMs remain available 24/7, even when the bank branch is closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at an ATM on Columbus Day as long as your bank has one and you have a debit card or ATM card.
Will my check clear on Columbus Day?
No. Checks deposited on Columbus Day will not be processed until the next business day when the bank reopens. The deposit will be recorded, but the funds may not be available for one to two business days after that, depending on your bank's policy.
What if I need to pay a bill on Columbus Day?
Pay it online through your bank's website or the biller's website. Online payments submitted on Columbus Day will process the next business day. As long as you submit it before the due date, you will not be late, even if it does not actually clear until after the holiday.
Do credit unions close on Columbus Day?
Most credit unions close on Columbus Day because they follow federal holidays. However, some smaller credit unions may stay open. Call your credit union directly to confirm their holiday schedule.
Can I transfer money between banks on Columbus Day?
You can initiate a transfer through online banking on Columbus Day, but it will not process until the next business day. If both banks are closed, the transfer may take an extra day. Plan accordingly if you need the money urgently.