Most banks close on Veterans Day, but some branches stay open depending on where you bank and what you need
Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. On that day, all federally chartered banks close—meaning the major national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others) will not process transactions, accept deposits, or let you into the branch. State-chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve also close. Credit unions typically close as well, though a small number stay open; you need to call yours directly to know for sure.
The closure applies to branch locations and customer service lines. ATMs and online banking stay open—you can withdraw cash, check balances, and move money between your own accounts on Veterans Day itself. Mobile apps work normally. The real impact hits if you need to speak to someone, deposit a check in person, or conduct a transaction that requires a teller or loan officer.
Some banks that operate outside the federal system—mainly small local or regional banks—may stay open on Veterans Day. A few credit unions do as well. The only way to know is to contact your bank directly or check their website for holiday hours before November 11.
Key Takeaways
- All major national banks and federally chartered banks close completely on Veterans Day; branches will not be staffed and you cannot conduct in-person transactions.
- ATMs and online banking remain available on Veterans Day, so you can withdraw cash and transfer money between your own accounts without visiting a branch.
- Credit unions usually close on Veterans Day, but some stay open; call your credit union at least a week before to confirm their hours.
- Small local or regional banks may stay open on Veterans Day if they are not federally chartered; check your bank's website or call ahead to be certain.
- Any deposits you make at an ATM on Veterans Day will not be processed until the next business day.
What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, you can use an ATM to withdraw cash, deposit checks (though they will not clear until the next business day), check your account balance, and transfer money between accounts you own at the same bank. You can also log into your online banking portal or mobile app to pay bills, set up transfers, or review transactions. These functions do not require bank staff and run on automated systems.
You cannot visit a branch to speak with a teller, deposit cash, explore for a loan, dispute a transaction in person, or access a safe deposit box. Customer service phone lines will not answer. If you need to report fraud or a lost card, you may be able to reach an automated fraud line or use your bank's app to report the issue, but speaking to a person will have to wait until the next business day.
Planning ahead if you need banking services around Veterans Day
If you know you will need to deposit a check, withdraw a large amount of cash, or handle a transaction that requires speaking to someone, do it on November 10 or wait until November 12. Banks are open on November 10 (the day before) during normal hours, and November 12 is the first business day after the holiday.
If you are mailing a check to your bank, send it a few days before Veterans Day so it arrives before the holiday. Checks deposited by mail are processed when staff return on November 12, but mailing them earlier reduces the chance of delay.
If you have a time-sensitive issue—a fraudulent charge, a lost card, or a payment that needs to go out—use your bank's mobile app or website to report it or set it up. Most banks have fraud reporting tools in their apps that work 24/7. If the issue truly cannot wait, some banks have customer service lines that operate on holidays; check your bank's website for a holiday phone number before November 11.
How Veterans Day affects bill payments and transfers
If you set up a bill payment or transfer online before Veterans Day, it will process on schedule—the bank's automated system does not stop for the holiday. If you schedule a payment to go out on November 11 itself, it will send on that date even though the branch is closed.
However, if you are paying someone outside your bank (a credit card company, utility, or person), that recipient may not process the payment until November 12 because their bank is also closed. The payment leaves your account on November 11, but the other party may not see it until the next day or later, depending on how their system works.
If you need to cancel or change a payment you already scheduled, you will have to wait until November 12 to call customer service. Some banks let you cancel scheduled payments through their app or website, so check there first.
What happens to checks and deposits on Veterans Day
Any check you deposit at an ATM on Veterans Day will be scanned and added to your account balance when ready (or within a few hours), but the funds will not actually clear until November 12 at the earliest. The bank does not process check clearing on holidays. If you need the money to be available on November 11, you must deposit it on November 10.
If you deposit cash at an ATM on Veterans Day, it will be counted and added to your balance right away. Cash does not require clearing the way checks do, so you can use that money when ready—though the ATM may have daily deposit limits.
If you mail a check to your bank and it arrives on or after Veterans Day, it will sit in the mail room until November 12 when staff process it. Mailing checks early (by November 9) gives you a better chance of them being processed before the holiday.
How to learn about your specific bank is open
The safest approach is to call your bank's main customer service line or visit their website and search for "Veterans Day hours" or "holiday hours." Most banks post their holiday schedule online in October. If you bank at a small local bank or credit union, call the branch directly—do not assume they follow the federal holiday schedule.
If you cannot reach anyone by phone on November 10, send an email or use your bank's chat feature (if available) to ask about Veterans Day hours. Many banks monitor email and chat during business hours on November 10 and can confirm whether your branch will be open on November 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant, ATM, or online retailer on Veterans Day because the transaction goes through the payment network, not your bank's branch. Your bank's branch is closed, but the card itself functions normally. The transaction will post to your account on November 11 or 12 depending on when the merchant processes it.
What if I need to report fraud on Veterans Day?
Most banks have a 24/7 fraud reporting line separate from regular customer service. Check the back of your debit or credit card for a fraud number, or log into your mobile app—many banks let you report fraud through the app without calling. If you cannot reach anyone, document what happened and call on November 12. Reporting within 24 hours is ideal, but one day of delay rarely affects your liability.
Do online banks close on Veterans Day?
Online-only banks (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Marcus) do not have physical branches, so there is nothing to close. You can deposit checks through their mobile app, withdraw cash at partner ATMs, and access customer service through chat or email on Veterans Day. Response times may be slower if they operate on a reduced staff, but the service itself stays open.
Will my automatic bill payments go through on Veterans Day?
Yes. Automatic payments you have already set up will process on their scheduled date, even if that date is Veterans Day. The bank's automated system runs 24/7 and does not stop for holidays. The payment leaves your account on November 11, though the recipient may not see it until November 12.
Can I get cash from an ATM on Veterans Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on Veterans Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks or cash at any ATM your bank operates or that is part of your bank's ATM network. The only limit is your daily withdrawal limit, which varies by bank.