The quickest way to know if today is a bank holiday

The Federal Reserve publishes a calendar each year listing the days when U.S. banks close. The easiest way to check is to visit the Federal Reserve's official holiday schedule at federalreserve.gov and look for the current year's list. You can also call your own bank's customer service line — they will tell you when ready whether they are open today.

If you need to know right now, your bank's website or mobile app usually displays holiday hours on the homepage. Many banks also send email or text alerts about upcoming closures. The day matters because banks that are closed do not process transfers, deposits, or withdrawals, and any transaction you submit will not move until the next business day.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Reserve maintains the official list of federal bank holidays, and most U.S. banks close on these days.
  • Your specific bank may observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so checking with them directly is the most reliable method.
  • Transactions submitted on a bank holiday will not process until the next business day, even if you submit them before midnight.
  • The Federal Reserve's website shows the full calendar for the current year, including which holidays fall on weekends and when banks reopen.

The ten federal bank holidays that close most U.S. banks

The Federal Reserve recognizes ten holidays each year when most banks close. These are: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), and Christmas Day (December 25).

When a holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead. When it falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday. This shift means the actual closure date can vary year to year — for example, if Christmas falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, December 26. The Federal Reserve publishes the adjusted dates each January so you can plan ahead.

Why your bank might be closed even if it is not a federal holiday

Some banks observe holidays beyond the federal ten. State banks sometimes close for state-specific holidays, and regional banks may honor local observances. For instance, some banks in the South close on Confederate Memorial Day, and banks in certain areas may close for Thanksgiving Day or the day after, even though these are not federal bank holidays.

The only way to know your bank's full closure calendar is to check their website or call them directly. Many banks publish their holiday schedule in January for the entire year, so you can save it or set reminders. If you bank with a large national chain like Bank of America, Chase, or Wells Fargo, their holiday schedule is usually the same across all branches, but smaller regional banks vary.

What happens to transactions on a bank holiday

Any payment, transfer, or deposit you submit on a bank holiday will not process that day. The transaction sits in a queue and moves the next business day when the bank reopens. This applies even if you submit it at 11:59 p.m. on the holiday — the bank's systems are not processing transactions at all.

If you need money to arrive by a specific date, submit the transaction at least one business day before that date. For example, if you need a transfer to land on Tuesday and Monday is a bank holiday, you must submit it by Friday. Wire transfers sometimes process faster than ACH transfers, but neither moves on a holiday.

How to plan around bank holidays

The Federal Reserve publishes its full holiday calendar in January each year on its website. You can read it or screenshot the dates so you have them on your phone. Many calendar apps let you add federal holidays automatically, which sends you a reminder when one is coming.

If you have recurring bills or payments due around a holiday, submit them early. If you are waiting for a deposit or paycheck, assume it will arrive the day after the bank reopens, not on the holiday itself. Some employers and service providers adjust their payment schedules around holidays, so check with them if you are unsure when your money will arrive.

Bank holidays versus stock market holidays

The stock market closes on different days than banks do. The New York Stock Exchange closes on federal holidays plus Thanksgiving Day and the day after Christmas, but it stays open on some days when banks close. If you trade stocks or have a brokerage account, check the exchange's holiday calendar separately from the bank's calendar.

The same applies to credit unions and other financial institutions. Credit unions often follow the Federal Reserve's schedule, but some observe their own holidays. Government offices also have their own holiday schedules. Do not assume that because one financial institution is closed, all of them are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money from an ATM on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs run 24/7 and do not close on holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at an ATM even when the bank building is closed. However, deposited checks will not be processed until the next business day.

If a holiday falls on a weekend, does the bank close on Friday or Monday?

It depends on which day the holiday lands. If the holiday is on Saturday, the bank closes on Friday. If it is on Sunday, the bank closes on Monday. The Federal Reserve publishes the adjusted dates each year so you know which day to expect the closure.

Do online banks close on bank holidays?

Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. However, their processing systems may not move transactions on federal holidays. Check your online bank's website for their holiday schedule — most process transactions the next business day after a holiday.

What if I need to deposit a check on a bank holiday?

You can deposit checks at an ATM or through your bank's mobile app on a holiday. The deposit will be recorded in your account, but the check will not be processed and the funds will not be available until the next business day when the bank reopens.

Are bank holidays the same across all 50 states?

Federal bank holidays are the same nationwide, but some states and individual banks observe additional holidays. Check your specific bank's website to see if they close on any days beyond the federal ten. Regional and state banks are more likely to have extra closures than national chains.