How to Check If Today Is a Banking Holiday
The fastest way to know if today is a banking holiday is to check the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar at federalreserve.gov, which lists every day the banking system closes. You can also call your bank directly—they will tell you when ready whether they are open. If you need to know right now, your bank's website or mobile app usually displays "Closed Today" on the home screen.
Banking holidays in the United States are set by federal law, so all banks observe the same days. However, some banks may also close on additional state holidays or observances that are not federal banking holidays. This means your bank might be closed even when the Federal Reserve is open, depending on where you live and which bank you use.
The key difference: the Federal Reserve closes on federal banking holidays, but individual banks may have their own closure schedules. If you are trying to deposit a check, transfer money, or handle time-sensitive transactions, do not assume your bank is open just because the Federal Reserve is.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve publishes an official list of banking holidays each year, and all banks observe these same federal holidays.
- Your specific bank may also close on state holidays or observances that are not federal banking holidays, so check with your bank directly.
- Most banks close on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- If a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead.
The 10 Federal Banking Holidays
Congress has designated 10 days each year as federal banking holidays. These are the days when the Federal Reserve and most banks close their doors:
| Holiday | Typical Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Third Monday in January |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead. When it falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday. This means the actual closure day can shift depending on the day of the week.
Why Your Bank Might Be Closed When the Federal Reserve Is Open
Individual banks can choose to close on additional days beyond the 10 federal banking holidays. Many banks close on state holidays that are not federal holidays. For example, some banks in Texas close on Texas Independence Day (March 2), and banks in some other states may close on holidays specific to that state.
Banks may also close for religious observances, local events, or internal operational reasons. A bank might close for the day after Thanksgiving even though it is not a federal holiday. This is why calling your bank or checking their website is the only way to be certain about their specific schedule.
Credit unions and online banks sometimes have different holiday schedules than traditional banks. An online bank might process transactions on a day when brick-and-mortar banks are closed, though the transaction may not settle until the next business day.
What Happens to Transactions on Banking Holidays
Deposits and transfers you submit on a banking holiday will not process until the next business day. If you deposit a check on a holiday, it will not clear until the day after the bank reopens. Wire transfers and ACH transfers also wait until the next business day to process.
Automated transactions—like bill payments scheduled through your bank or automatic deposits—usually still go through on holidays because they are processed by computer systems, not by bank staff. However, the receiving bank may not receive or post the money until the next business day.
ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases work normally on banking holidays because ATMs and card networks operate 24/7. The only thing that stops is the bank's ability to process new deposits, transfers, and customer service requests.
How to Plan Around Banking Holidays
If you need to deposit a check or make a transfer before a specific date, submit it at least one business day before the important date. For example, if a payment is due on a Monday that is a federal holiday, you should submit it on Friday. Banks do not process transactions on weekends or holidays, so the timing compounds.
Set calendar reminders for the federal banking holidays listed above, especially if you handle regular bill payments or payroll. Many people miss important date because they assume a Monday is a business day without checking whether it is a holiday.
If you use an online bank or credit union, check their specific holiday schedule on their website. Some online banks process transactions faster than traditional banks, but they still observe federal holidays for settlement purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?
Yes, all banks close on the 10 federal banking holidays set by Congress. However, individual banks may also close on additional state or local holidays, so your bank might be closed when others are open. Check with your specific bank to be sure.
What if a holiday falls on a weekend?
Banks close on the nearest weekday. If a holiday is on Saturday, banks close Friday. If it is on Sunday, they close Monday. The Federal Reserve announces the observed date each year on their website.
Can I use my ATM or debit card on a banking holiday?
Yes. ATMs and debit card networks operate 24/7, even on banking holidays. You can withdraw cash and make purchases normally. Deposits made at ATMs will not process until the next business day.
Will my automatic bill payment go through on a banking holiday?
Automatic payments usually process on schedule because they are handled by computer systems. However, the receiving bank may not post the payment until the next business day, so do not assume it arrived if the holiday is the due date.
How do I know if my bank is open today?
Call your bank, check their website or mobile app, or visit a branch in person. Most banks display their holiday schedule online and show "Closed Today" on their homepage if they are not operating. The Federal Reserve's website also lists all federal banking holidays for the current year.