Most U.S. banks close on Good Friday, but not all of them
Good Friday is a federal holiday, which means the Federal Reserve and most traditional banks shut down for the day. If your bank is part of the Federal Reserve system—which includes nearly all major national and regional banks—you will not be able to visit a branch, use a teller, or conduct in-person business on Good Friday. However, you can still use ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps to check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up bill payments.
Some smaller banks and credit unions do not observe Good Friday as a holiday and remain open. A few large online banks that have no physical branches operate on Good Friday like any other day. The safest approach is to contact your specific bank directly or check their website before Good Friday to confirm their hours.
Key Takeaways
- Federal Reserve member banks close on Good Friday, which means no branch access, no teller service, and no in-person transactions that day.
- ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps continue to work on Good Friday even when branches are closed.
- Some credit unions and smaller regional banks stay open on Good Friday, so you need to check with your institution directly.
- Online-only banks typically operate normally on Good Friday since they have no physical locations to close.
- Checks and electronic transfers initiated on Good Friday may not process until the following business day.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday at a closed bank
When your bank is closed on Good Friday, you lose access to anything that requires a person or a physical location. You cannot deposit checks at a teller window, withdraw cash over the counter, open a new account, get a cashier's check, or speak to a loan officer. If you need cash, you must use an ATM before Good Friday or plan to withdraw on Thursday.
What still works: ATM withdrawals and deposits (if your bank's ATMs accept deposits), balance inquiries, transfers between your own accounts, bill payments set up through online banking, and peer-to-peer payments through apps like Venmo or Zelle. These digital functions do not require the bank to be staffed, so they operate around the clock. However, the actual processing of checks and some electronic transfers may not happen until the next business day after Good Friday, which is typically Saturday or Monday depending on the year.
How Good Friday affects check deposits and transfers
If you deposit a check through an ATM or mobile app on Good Friday, the bank will not process it that day. The deposit will sit in a queue and process on the next business day. This matters if you are counting on that money to clear quickly or if you need it for a payment due soon after the holiday.
Electronic transfers—ACH transfers, wire transfers, and internal transfers between accounts at the same bank—initiated on Good Friday will also wait until the next business day to process. If you are sending money to another person or paying a bill, initiate the transfer on Thursday to make sure it clears on time. Some bill payment systems allow you to schedule a payment for a specific date, which can help you avoid delays.
Which banks typically stay open on Good Friday
Online banks with no physical branches—such as Charles Schwab Bank, Ally Bank, and some others—usually operate normally on Good Friday because they have no teller windows or branch locations to close. All their services are digital, so the holiday does not affect them. If you bank exclusively online, you likely will not notice any disruption.
Many credit unions do not observe Good Friday as a holiday and remain open for business. However, this varies by credit union and by state. Some credit unions follow Federal Reserve holidays, while others set their own holiday schedule. Call your credit union before Good Friday to confirm whether they will be open.
A small number of regional and community banks also stay open on Good Friday. Again, the only way to know for certain is to contact your bank directly or check their holiday schedule on their website.
How to prepare before Good Friday
The week before Good Friday, withdraw any cash you think you will need over the holiday weekend. If you use checks, make sure you have enough on hand. If you need to deposit checks, do it by Thursday so they process before the holiday. Set up any bill payments in advance through your online banking portal, scheduling them for dates after Good Friday if the payment is due after the holiday.
If you are expecting a direct deposit or a transfer from someone else on Good Friday, remember that it will not process until the next business day. Plan accordingly if you need that money for something specific. For any urgent banking needs—opening an account, getting a cashier's check, or speaking to a loan officer—handle them on Thursday or wait until the following Monday.
Good Friday timing varies by year
Good Friday falls on a different date each year because it is tied to the lunar calendar. In 2024, Good Friday is March 29. In 2025, it is April 18. In 2026, it is April 10. Check your bank's holiday schedule or a calendar to confirm the exact date each year, because the timing affects when you need to plan around the closure.
The day after Good Friday is Saturday, which is not a business day anyway. This means that if your bank is closed on Good Friday, you will not have access to in-person services again until Monday. Plan your banking needs accordingly if you need something done over that weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at ATMs and at any merchant that accepts cards, regardless of whether your bank's branches are open. You can withdraw cash from ATMs and make purchases anywhere. The bank being closed does not affect your card's ability to function.
Will my paycheck deposit on Good Friday if I get direct deposit?
Direct deposits scheduled for Good Friday will not process until the next business day, which is typically Monday. If your paycheck normally hits on Friday and Good Friday falls on a Friday, it will arrive on Monday instead. Check with your employer to confirm their payroll schedule around the holiday.
What if I need cash and the ATM is out of money on Good Friday?
ATMs are not restocked on holidays, so if one runs out of cash on Good Friday, it will stay empty until the bank reopens on Monday. Withdraw cash on Thursday or earlier in the week to avoid this problem. If you absolutely need cash over the weekend, visit an ATM at a different bank or use a store that offers cash back with a debit card purchase.
Do online banks close on Good Friday?
Most online banks remain fully operational on Good Friday because they have no physical branches. However, some online banks that are subsidiaries of larger institutions may follow the parent company's holiday schedule. Check your specific bank's website or contact customer service to confirm.
Can I call my bank's customer service on Good Friday?
Most banks close their customer service phone lines on federal holidays, including Good Friday. If you need to speak to someone, call on Thursday. Some banks offer limited customer service on holidays, so it is worth trying, but do not count on reaching someone.