Banks close on federal holidays, but the day matters and your bank might differ

Whether your bank is closed today depends on which federal holiday it is, what day of the week it falls on, and whether your bank observes all federal holidays or only some. Most banks close on the same ten federal holidays every year — New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving. Christmas is the eleventh. But if today is a Saturday or Sunday, your bank is already closed, so the holiday closure does not change anything for you.

The fastest way to know if your bank is closed today is to call the number on the back of your debit card or check your bank's website or app. Most banks post holiday schedules in January. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, your bank is closed. If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, ATMs work on holidays — the closure only affects teller services and loan officers.

Key Takeaways

  • Most banks close on ten federal holidays plus Christmas, but some banks observe fewer holidays or add state-specific ones.
  • If a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday; if it falls on Sunday, they close on Monday.
  • ATMs and mobile banking work on bank holidays — only in-person teller services and loan processing shut down.
  • Your bank's holiday schedule is posted on its website or available by calling the number on your debit card.
  • Wire transfers and ACH transfers sent on a holiday will process the next business day, not when ready.

The ten federal holidays most banks observe

The federal holidays that trigger bank closures are set by the Federal Reserve and explore to most national banks. They 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 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), and Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November). Christmas Day (December 25) is the eleventh.

Regional banks and credit unions sometimes add state holidays to this list. For example, some banks in Texas close on Texas Independence Day (March 2), and some in Hawaii close on Statehood Day (August 21). If you bank with a regional institution, check its website for the full schedule.

What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend

When a federal holiday lands on a Saturday, the Federal Reserve observes it on Friday, and banks close on Friday instead. When a holiday lands on a Sunday, the Federal Reserve observes it on Monday, and banks close on Monday. This rule keeps the banking system synchronized — if a holiday fell on a weekend and banks stayed open, the Federal Reserve itself would be closed, which would break settlement of large transactions.

For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, July 3. If Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday but you are thinking of the Friday after, that Friday is not a federal holiday — banks are open. Only the Thursday is the holiday.

ATMs and online banking work on holidays

Bank holidays only shut down the physical branch and the people who work there. ATMs operate 24 hours on holidays, so you can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance. Mobile banking apps and online banking portals work the same way they do any other day.

However, transactions you initiate on a holiday may not process until the next business day. A wire transfer sent on Thanksgiving will not move until Friday. An ACH transfer (like a direct deposit or a payment to another bank account) sent on a holiday will sit in queue and process the next business day. Checks deposited at an ATM on a holiday will be processed the next business day, not when ready.

How to find your specific bank's holiday schedule

The easiest method is to search "[Your Bank Name] holiday schedule" in a search engine, or log into your bank's app and look for a link labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Closures." Most banks publish their full-year schedule in December or January. If you cannot find it online, call the main number on the back of your debit card and ask.

If you have accounts at multiple banks, each one may observe a slightly different set of holidays. A national bank like Chase or Bank of America will follow the Federal Reserve schedule. A credit union may add state holidays. A smaller regional bank might observe fewer holidays. Do not assume all your accounts are closed on the same day.

What to do if you need banking services on a holiday

If you need to move money on a holiday, use your bank's mobile app or online portal to initiate transfers, pay bills, or send money to another account. The transaction will queue and process the next business day. If you need cash, find an ATM — yours or another bank's network ATM, though you may pay a fee for out-of-network use.

If you need to speak to someone at your bank — to dispute a charge, ask about a loan, or resolve an account issue — you will have to wait until the next business day. Some banks offer phone support on certain holidays; call the number on your card to check. If the call goes to an automated system, the bank is closed.

State holidays and bank closures

A few states have holidays that are not federal holidays, and some banks in those states close for them. For example, some banks in South Carolina close on Confederate Memorial Day (May 10), and some in Alabama close on the same day under a different name. These closures are not uniform — one bank in the state may close while another stays open. If you live in a state with a state-specific holiday and you are unsure whether your bank observes it, check the bank's website or call.

The Federal Reserve does not close for state holidays, so the banking system as a whole keeps running. Your transaction will process, but your specific bank branch may be closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check on a bank holiday?

Yes, if you use an ATM. The check will be scanned and deposited into your account, though it will not be processed until the next business day. If you need to deposit at a teller window, you will have to wait until the branch reopens.

Will my direct deposit hit my account on a holiday?

Direct deposits scheduled for a holiday will process the next business day. If your payday is a holiday, your employer's payroll system will send the deposit on the holiday, but your bank will not post it to your account until the next business day. Check with your employer if you are unsure of the exact timing.

Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?

Most credit unions follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, but some add state or regional holidays. Call your credit union or check its website to confirm. Credit union ATMs work on holidays the same way bank ATMs do.

What if I need to wire money on a holiday?

Wire transfers initiated on a holiday will not send until the next business day. If you need the money to arrive urgently, initiate the transfer as early as possible on the business day before the holiday. The Federal Reserve processes wires, and it is closed on federal holidays.

Are banks closed on Election Day?

No. Election Day (the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November) is not a federal holiday, and banks are open. Some government offices close, but banks do not.