The fastest way to check if today is a banking holiday

The Federal Reserve publishes a list of banking holidays each year on its website — go to federalreserve.gov, search for "holiday schedule," and you'll see the exact dates. Most U.S. banks close on the same nine federal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

If you need to know right now, call your bank's customer service line or check your bank's website — many have a holiday notice on the homepage during the week of a closure. Your bank may also close on state holidays that other banks don't observe, so a call to your specific branch is the surest way to know.

If you're trying to deposit a check or transfer money today and the banks are closed, the transaction will process the next business day. ATMs and online banking work on holidays, so you can still access your money.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Reserve lists all nine federal banking holidays on federalreserve.gov each year.
  • Most U.S. banks close on the same nine days, but some states add their own holidays.
  • Calling your bank directly or checking its website is the fastest way to confirm if your branch is open today.
  • ATMs and online banking work on banking holidays even when branches are closed.
  • Deposits and transfers made on a holiday will process the next business day.

The nine federal banking holidays

Every bank in the U.S. closes on these nine days, though the exact date may shift slightly if the holiday falls on a weekend. New Year's Day is January 1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the third Monday in January. Presidents' Day is the third Monday in February. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May. Juneteenth is June 19. Independence Day is July 4. Labor Day is the first Monday in September. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November. Christmas is December 25.

When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks 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, so checking your bank's calendar is worth doing if you're planning a transaction around a holiday.

State and regional holidays that may close your bank

Some states observe additional holidays beyond the nine federal ones. For example, some banks in the South close on Confederate Memorial Day. Banks in Hawaii close on Kamehameha Day. Banks in Alaska close on Alaska Day. If your bank is in a state with its own holiday calendar, it may close on days when banks in other states stay open.

Your bank's website usually lists its full holiday schedule, including any state-specific closures. If you don't see it listed, a call to your branch will tell you whether they observe any holidays beyond the federal nine.

What you can and cannot do on a banking holiday

You cannot visit a bank branch, speak to a teller, or use services that require a person to process your request. You cannot get a cashier's check, open a new account in person, or speak to a loan officer. However, you can use ATMs to withdraw cash or deposit checks. You can use online banking to transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or send money to other people. You can use mobile banking apps the same way.

Deposits made at an ATM on a holiday will be processed the next business day. Transfers between your own accounts happen when ready in your online account, but the money may not leave your bank until the next business day. Payments sent to other banks may take longer because those banks are also closed.

When a banking holiday affects your paycheck or bill payment

If your paycheck is supposed to arrive on a banking holiday, your employer usually deposits it the business day before. Check with your HR department or payroll office to confirm the exact date. If a bill payment is due on a banking holiday, most creditors will accept it on the next business day without penalty, but read your bill or call to be sure.

If you're paying a bill online and the due date is a banking holiday, submit your payment the business day before to avoid any confusion. The same goes for mortgage payments, loan payments, and rent — paying a day early on a holiday week removes the risk of a late fee.

How to plan ahead for banking holidays

Mark the nine federal holidays on your calendar at the start of the year. If you live in a state with additional holidays, add those too. Before any holiday, withdraw cash if you think you'll need it, because ATMs may run out of money if many people use them. If you need to deposit a check, use an ATM or mobile deposit the day before the holiday so the bank can process it sooner.

If you're expecting a wire transfer, a paycheck, or a payment from someone else, ask them to send it a day or two before the holiday. Banks process these transfers in batches, and a holiday can add a day to the timeline. Planning ahead takes five minutes and removes the stress of waiting for money when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all banks close on the same holidays?

All U.S. banks close on the nine federal holidays, but some banks also close on state holidays. Credit unions and online banks may have different schedules, so check with your specific institution.

Can I use my debit card on a banking holiday?

Yes. You can use your debit card at ATMs and at stores on a banking holiday. The transaction will process normally, though transfers between banks may take longer because the receiving bank is also closed.

What happens if I deposit a check on a banking holiday?

If you deposit at an ATM or through mobile banking, the check will be processed the next business day. The funds may take one to three business days to appear in your account, depending on the check amount and your bank's policy.

Will my automatic bill payment go through on a banking holiday?

Yes. Automatic payments scheduled for a banking holiday will process on that day or the next business day, depending on your bank. The payment will reach the creditor on time in most cases, but check your account to confirm.

Do online banks close on banking holidays?

Online banks don't have physical branches, so they don't "close" the way traditional banks do. You can use online banking and ATMs on any day. However, customer service phone lines may have limited hours, and transfers to other banks may take longer because those banks are closed.