Veterans Day is a federal holiday, but most banks stay open

Veterans Day, observed on November 11, is a federal holiday — meaning the federal government closes its offices and most federal employees get the day off. However, most banks remain open on Veterans Day. Your bank's hours may be different from a normal business day, so it is worth checking ahead if you need to visit a branch or use services that require a teller.

The confusion happens because federal holiday and bank holiday are not the same thing. A federal holiday is declared by Congress and affects government offices. A bank holiday is a separate decision made by individual banks or by the Federal Reserve. Some banks choose to close on certain federal holidays, but Veterans Day is not one of the standard bank closure days.

If you need to do banking on November 11, call your branch first or check your bank's website. Some banks open with reduced hours, some stay fully open, and a small number may close entirely — it depends on the bank and the year.

Key Takeaways

  • Veterans Day is a federal holiday, but most banks do not close on this day.
  • Your specific bank may have different hours on November 11, so check before you go to a branch.
  • ATMs and online banking typically work the same way on Veterans Day as on any other day.
  • If you need to deposit checks or speak to a teller, call ahead to confirm your branch is open.

Which banks close on Veterans Day

Most major national banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank — stay open on Veterans Day, though they may operate with shorter hours or reduced staff. Some smaller regional banks and credit unions may close entirely, so you cannot assume your bank will be open just because a large chain is.

The best way to know is to contact your bank directly. Call the branch number, check the bank's website, or look at the hours posted on Google Maps or your bank's app. Many banks post holiday hours a week or two in advance.

What services work on Veterans Day

ATMs work on Veterans Day regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts 24 hours a day. Online banking and mobile apps also work normally — you can pay bills, send money, and check transactions whenever you want.

What you cannot do on Veterans Day if your branch is closed is speak to a teller, deposit cash or checks, explore for a loan, or resolve account problems that require a person. If you need any of those services, you will have to wait until the branch reopens or use a different branch that is open.

How to prepare if you need banking on November 11

If you know you will need to visit a branch on Veterans Day, deposit checks a day or two early. Most checks deposited by Friday will clear by Monday anyway, so depositing on November 10 instead of November 11 usually makes no difference to when the money reaches your account.

If you need cash, withdraw it before November 11 or use an ATM on the day itself. If you need to pay a bill by a specific date and that date falls on or just after Veterans Day, pay it online a few days early instead of waiting for a branch visit.

Federal holidays that banks do close for

Banks are more likely to close on New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas than on Veterans Day. Memorial Day and Labor Day are also common bank closure days. Presidents' Day is another federal holiday where many banks close, though some stay open.

The Federal Reserve itself closes on all federal holidays, which can affect how quickly money moves between banks. If you are sending money to another bank on a federal holiday, the transfer may not process until the next business day, even if your own bank is open.

What to do if you need help on Veterans Day

If your bank is closed and you have an urgent problem — a fraudulent charge, a locked account, or a payment that needs to stop — call your bank's customer service line. Most banks have phone support available even when branches are closed, and many have 24-hour fraud lines.

For non-urgent issues, send a message through your bank's app or website and expect a response the next business day. If you need to speak to someone in person, ask whether another branch in your area is open, or plan to visit on November 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my paycheck deposit on Veterans Day if I get direct deposit?

Direct deposits usually process on schedule even if Veterans Day falls on a weekday, because the Federal Reserve processes them before the holiday. If Veterans Day is on a Friday and your paycheck normally deposits on Friday, it should still arrive Friday. Check with your employer if you are unsure.

Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?

Yes. Your debit card works at stores, restaurants, and ATMs on Veterans Day the same as any other day. The only thing that might not work is visiting a branch in person if it is closed.

Do credit card payments go through on Veterans Day?

Online credit card payments usually process on schedule. If your payment is due on November 11 and you pay online before the important date, it counts as on-time. If you mail a check, mail it several days early since postal delays can happen around holidays.

What if Veterans Day falls on a weekend?

If November 11 is a Saturday or Sunday, the federal holiday is observed on the nearest weekday — usually Friday if it falls on Saturday, or Monday if it falls on Sunday. Banks follow the observed date, not the calendar date.