The day after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday, so banks stay open
The Friday after Thanksgiving—often called Black Friday—is a regular business day for banks. Federal banks operate on their normal schedule. You can deposit checks, withdraw cash, transfer money between accounts, and conduct any other banking business you would on a Wednesday or Monday.
The confusion comes from the fact that Thanksgiving Day itself is a federal holiday, which means banks close. But the day after does not carry that status. Retail stores may close late or open late for holiday shopping, but your bank will run its standard hours.
If you need to do banking on the Friday after Thanksgiving, check your specific bank's hours—some branches may choose to close or reduce hours as a courtesy to staff, but this is a business decision, not a legal requirement. Call ahead or check your bank's website to confirm.
Key Takeaways
- The Friday after Thanksgiving is a regular business day for federal banks and is not a federal holiday.
- Banks operate on their standard schedule, though individual branches may have reduced hours at their discretion.
- You should confirm your specific bank's hours before visiting, since some locations may close or adjust their schedule.
- The day before—Thanksgiving Day itself—is when banks close, not the day after.
- ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7 regardless of whether your branch is open.
Why Thanksgiving is a holiday but the day after is not
Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Thursday of November each year. Congress designated it as a federal holiday in 1879, which means federal offices, courts, and banks close. The day after—the Friday—was never added to the federal holiday list.
Some states and employers treat the Friday after Thanksgiving as a paid holiday or a day off, but this is a local or company decision. It does not change the federal banking calendar. The Federal Reserve, which sets the official banking holiday schedule, does not recognize it.
Retail businesses often use the Friday after Thanksgiving as a major shopping day (Black Friday), which is why many stores have special hours or promotions. This commercial event has no bearing on whether banks are open.
What happens to deposits and transfers on Friday after Thanksgiving
If you deposit a check or initiate a transfer on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the transaction will process normally. Banks are open and processing payments as usual. Checks deposited on Friday will typically clear by Monday or Tuesday, depending on your bank's processing timeline and the check's origin.
ACH transfers (electronic transfers between bank accounts) initiated on Friday will usually settle by Monday, since the Federal Reserve does not process ACH transactions on weekends. Wire transfers may also settle on Monday rather than Friday, depending on the time you send them and your bank's cut-off times.
If you need money to move quickly and Friday is the day you plan to send it, confirm with your bank what time their cut-off is. Transfers sent after the cut-off time may not process until the following business day.
ATMs and online banking work the same way
ATMs and online banking platforms do not close on the Friday after Thanksgiving. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills online at any time, whether your branch is open or not.
If you need cash or want to move money around, you do not need to wait for the branch to be open. The only limitation is that if you need to speak to a person—to dispute a transaction, ask about a loan, or resolve an account issue—you will need to call or visit during business hours.
When to plan ahead for the Thanksgiving week
The real banking closure to plan around is Thanksgiving Day itself, the Thursday. If you need to deposit a check or handle something in person, do it on Wednesday or Friday. If you are waiting for a check to clear or a transfer to settle, remember that Thursday is a non-business day, so processing may take an extra day.
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving and will be away from your home branch, use ATMs or online banking to handle routine transactions. If you need to speak to someone at your bank, call before you leave to ask about their hours at branches near where you will be, or handle the matter by phone before you go.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on Wednesday may not settle until Friday or Monday, depending on timing. If you are sending money to pay a bill or transfer funds before a important date, do it earlier in the week to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM on the Friday after Thanksgiving?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7 regardless of whether your bank branch is open. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks (if your ATM has that feature) on Friday after Thanksgiving just as you would any other day.
Will my check clear if I deposit it on Friday after Thanksgiving?
Your check will be processed normally. Most checks deposit on Friday clear by Monday or Tuesday. The Friday after Thanksgiving is a regular business day for banks, so there is no delay from the holiday itself. The delay depends on your bank's processing time and where the check comes from.
What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on Friday after Thanksgiving?
Call your bank or visit your branch during their posted hours. Most banks are open on Friday after Thanksgiving, but some branches may have reduced hours or close early. Check your bank's website or call ahead to confirm before you go.
Do wire transfers process on the Friday after Thanksgiving?
Wire transfers initiated on Friday after Thanksgiving will usually settle on Friday if sent before your bank's cut-off time (typically mid-morning). If sent after the cut-off, they may settle on Monday. Ask your bank what time their wire cut-off is if timing matters.
Is Black Friday a bank holiday?
No. Black Friday is a retail shopping event, not a federal or banking holiday. Banks are open and operating normally on the Friday after Thanksgiving, even though many stores have special hours or promotions.