Key Takeaways
- Veterans Day is a federal holiday on November 11th, but it is not a banking holiday, so most banks remain open.
- The Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury close on Veterans Day, but commercial banks do not have to.
- Major national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo operate normally on Veterans Day.
- If your bank does close on Veterans Day, it will be a local choice, not a federal requirement—call ahead to confirm.
The Difference Between Federal Holidays and Banking Holidays
A federal holiday means the federal government shuts down. Congress does not meet, federal courts do not hear cases, and federal employees get the day off. Veterans Day qualifies. The U.S. Postal Service, Social Security Administration, and Veterans Affairs all close.
A banking holiday is different. It is a day when the Federal Reserve and most commercial banks close their doors and do not process transactions. The Federal Reserve publishes its own list each year. Veterans Day does not appear on it. The banking holidays that do close most banks nationwide are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Banks choose whether to observe Veterans Day. Some do; most do not. This is why you can walk into a Chase branch on Veterans Day and conduct business, even though federal offices around you are closed.
What Actually Closes on Veterans Day
Federal offices close on Veterans Day. That includes:
- U.S. Post Offices (mail is not delivered)
- Federal courts
- Social Security offices
- Veterans Affairs offices
- Internal Revenue Service offices
- Most government agency offices
Many private employers also give their staff the day off, and some businesses close in observance. But banks are not required to, and the major ones do not.
Stock markets close on Veterans Day. If you trade stocks or need to move money through a brokerage, that transaction will not process until the next business day. But your bank itself will be open.
Which Banks Stay Open on Veterans Day
All the major national banks operate on Veterans Day: Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank, PNC, and Capital One. You can visit a branch, use an ATM, call customer service, and conduct online banking as usual.
Some smaller regional banks and credit unions may close. A few credit unions observe Veterans Day as a holiday for their members. If you bank at a smaller institution or credit union, call your branch directly to confirm. Do not assume it is open just because the big banks are.
ATMs and online banking work on Veterans Day regardless of whether a physical branch is staffed. You can deposit checks through a mobile app, transfer money, pay bills, and check your balance without visiting a branch.
What Happens to Deposits and Transfers on Veterans Day
If you deposit a check at an ATM or through mobile banking on Veterans Day, it will be processed the next business day, just as it would on any other day. The holiday does not speed up or slow down the deposit timeline.
Wire transfers initiated on Veterans Day will not go through until the next business day. The Federal Reserve does not process wires on federal holidays, even if your bank is open. If you need a wire to arrive by a specific date, initiate it before Veterans Day.
ACH transfers (the standard way money moves between accounts) also do not process on federal holidays. If you set up a bill payment or transfer on Veterans Day, it will be queued for the next business day.
How to Confirm Your Bank's Veterans Day Hours
The safest approach is to call your branch directly or check your bank's website. Most banks post holiday hours in advance. Search "[Your Bank Name] Veterans Day hours" or look for a holiday schedule on the bank's website.
If you use a smaller bank or credit union, a phone call takes 30 seconds and removes all doubt. Ask whether the branch is open on November 11th and what hours it operates if it is.
If you need to handle a time-sensitive transaction—a large deposit, a wire transfer, a loan closing—do it before Veterans Day. Do not wait until the holiday itself, because even if your bank is open, the Federal Reserve and other banking infrastructure may not be, which can delay processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM on Veterans Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on Veterans Day, regardless of whether the bank branch is staffed. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks through a mobile app, and check your balance.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Veterans Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for Veterans Day will arrive on the next business day instead. The Federal Reserve does not process ACH transfers on federal holidays, so employers' payroll systems route deposits to the following day.
Do I need to go to the bank before Veterans Day to handle transactions?
Only if you need a wire transfer or same-day processing. Most routine transactions—deposits, withdrawals, bill payments—can wait until after the holiday. If you need a wire to arrive by a specific date, initiate it before November 11th.
What if my bank closes on Veterans Day?
If your bank chooses to close, you can still use the ATM, mobile app, and online banking. Call your branch ahead of time to confirm hours. If you need to speak to someone, you may need to wait until the next business day.
Are credit unions open on Veterans Day?
Most are, but some observe Veterans Day as a holiday. Call your credit union to confirm. If it closes, you can still access your account through online banking and ATMs.