How to learn about today is a banking holiday
The fastest way is to call your bank directly or check their website—they will tell you whether they are open today. Banks do not all observe the same holidays, and some stay open on federal holidays that others close for. If you need to know right now, a phone call to your branch takes 30 seconds.
If you want to know before you need the answer, the Federal Reserve publishes the official list of days when the banking system closes. These are the days when the Fed itself does not process payments, which affects wire transfers and ACH transactions even if your local branch is physically open. The list changes slightly year to year, so checking the current year's schedule is more useful than memorizing past ones.
Your bank may also close on state holidays or days that are not federal holidays at all. Some banks close on days like Lincoln's Birthday or Juneteenth in certain states but not others. The only reliable source is your own bank's holiday schedule, which they post online or will tell you over the phone.
Key Takeaways
- Federal banking holidays are when the Federal Reserve closes and does not process payments, but your local bank branch may stay open anyway.
- Call your bank or check their website to learn whether they are open today—this is faster and more accurate than any general list.
- Banks observe different holidays depending on their state and their own policies, so two banks in the same city may have different schedules.
- The Federal Reserve publishes its annual holiday schedule on its website, which affects wire transfers and ACH payments even if your branch is open for walk-in customers.
- State holidays and bank-specific closures are not always federal holidays, so a day off for one bank does not mean all banks are closed.
Federal holidays when banks typically close
The Federal Reserve closes on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. When one of these falls on a weekend, the Fed observes the holiday on the nearest weekday. For example, if Independence Day falls on a Saturday, the Fed closes on Friday instead.
On these days, the Federal Reserve does not process wire transfers, ACH payments, or other electronic transactions. This means money you send on a federal banking holiday will not leave your account until the next business day, and money coming to you will not arrive until then either. Your bank's branch may be open for customer service, but the payment system itself is closed.
Most banks close their physical branches on federal banking holidays, but not all. Some large banks stay open on certain holidays in certain locations. The only way to know whether your branch is open is to check their schedule or call ahead.
State holidays and bank-specific closures
Banks in certain states close on state holidays that are not federal holidays. For example, some banks in California close on Cesar Chavez Day, and some banks in Texas close on San Jacinto Day. These closures vary by state and sometimes by individual bank, so a bank in one state may be open on a day when the same bank's branch in another state is closed.
Some banks also close on days that are neither federal nor state holidays—for example, the day after Thanksgiving or the day after Christmas. These closures are set by the bank itself and are not required by law. Check your bank's specific holiday schedule to see whether they observe these extra days.
What happens to payments and transfers on banking holidays
If you send a wire transfer or ACH payment on a federal banking holiday, the transaction will process on the next business day. Your bank will deduct the money from your account when ready, but it will not reach the recipient until the following day. If you send money on a Friday that is also a federal holiday, it will not arrive until Monday.
Checks deposited on a banking holiday are treated the same way—they enter the system on the next business day. ATM deposits and mobile check deposits also process on the next business day if you make them on a holiday.
Credit card payments and loan payments made on a banking holiday are usually posted on the next business day as well. If a payment is due on a banking holiday, most banks will not charge a late fee if the payment arrives on the next business day, but this varies by bank. If you are close to a due date and a holiday is coming, pay a day or two early to be safe.
How to plan ahead for banking holidays
If you know a banking holiday is coming and you need money to move by a certain date, send it at least one business day before the holiday. For example, if you need money to arrive by Friday and Monday is a federal holiday, send it on Wednesday so it arrives by Friday.
If you are expecting a payment—a paycheck, a refund, a wire transfer from someone else—and a banking holiday falls on the day it should arrive, expect it to arrive on the next business day instead. Some employers and payment services send money a day early to account for holidays, but not all. If you are unsure, ask the person or organization sending the money.
For recurring bills and automatic payments, check whether they are scheduled to process on or around a banking holiday. Most automatic payments adjust for holidays automatically, but some do not. If you have a payment due on a holiday, contact your bank or the organization you are paying to confirm when it will actually process.
Where to find your bank's holiday schedule
Your bank's website usually has a page labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Bank Holidays" that lists every day the branch will be closed. This page is updated each year and is the most reliable source for your specific bank. If you cannot find it on the website, call your branch and ask them to email or mail you the schedule.
The Federal Reserve's website publishes the official federal banking holiday schedule each year. This tells you when the payment system itself will be closed, which affects all banks regardless of whether their branches are open. You can find this on the Federal Reserve's public website under "Payment System Holidays."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an ATM on a banking holiday?
Yes. ATMs run 24 hours and are not affected by banking holidays. You can withdraw money, deposit checks, and transfer funds between your own accounts on any holiday. The transaction will process when ready for withdrawals and on the next business day for deposits.
Will my paycheck arrive on time if a banking holiday is coming?
Most employers send paychecks one business day before a holiday so they arrive on time. However, this depends on your employer and your bank. If you are unsure, ask your payroll department when they will send the deposit so it arrives by your normal payday.
What if I need to send money urgently on a banking holiday?
Wire transfers and ACH payments will not process until the next business day. If you need money to move the same day, use a service like Zelle, PayPal, or a money transfer app—these may process on holidays depending on the service. Call your bank to ask what same-day options are available.
Do credit unions observe the same holidays as banks?
Credit unions usually observe federal banking holidays, but some also close on additional days. Check your credit union's holiday schedule on their website or by calling them, as it may differ from traditional banks in your area.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, when does the bank close?
The Federal Reserve observes the holiday on the nearest weekday—usually Friday if the holiday is on Saturday, or Monday if it is on Sunday. Your bank branch may follow the same rule or may have its own policy. Check your bank's schedule to be certain.