May 2026 has one federal bank holiday

Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, 2026. Banks observe this as a federal holiday, meaning most branches will be closed and you cannot process transactions in person that day.

If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone at a branch, plan to do it on Friday, May 22 or Tuesday, May 26. ATMs and online banking work normally on the holiday itself.

Some banks process ACH transfers and wire transfers on Memorial Day, but the timing depends on your bank's internal schedule. If you initiate a transfer on May 25, it may not leave your account until May 26 or later. Check with your bank if you have a time-sensitive payment due around that date.

Key Takeaways

  • Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026 is the only federal bank holiday in May, and most bank branches will be closed.
  • ATMs and online banking remain available on the holiday, so you can check balances and move money between your own accounts.
  • ACH transfers and wire transfers initiated on May 25 may not process until May 26 or later, depending on your bank's holiday schedule.
  • If you need to deposit checks or speak to a teller, use the Friday before or Tuesday after the holiday.

How the holiday affects different types of transactions

In-person transactions stop on Memorial Day. Deposits, withdrawals, and account changes that require a teller or manager are not available. If you try to deposit a check at a branch on May 25, you will not be able to do so until the branch reopens.

Digital transactions work differently. Money you transfer between your own accounts using your bank's app or website processes when ready, even on the holiday. Payments you schedule in advance (such as bill payments set to go out on May 25) usually process on time because they were queued before the holiday.

Transfers to other people or institutions are the gray area. ACH transfers—the standard way money moves between banks—may not clear until the next business day. Wire transfers vary by bank; some process them on holidays, others do not. If you are sending money to pay a bill or a person on May 25, assume it will not arrive until May 26 at the earliest.

What stays open on May 25

ATMs run 24 hours on holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts at an ATM on Memorial Day without any delay.

Online banking portals and mobile apps stay open. You can log in, view transactions, pay bills you have already set up, and move money between accounts you own. The bank's servers do not close for holidays.

Credit unions often follow the same schedule as banks, but some remain open on federal holidays or have limited hours. If you bank at a credit union, call ahead or check their website to confirm whether they are open on May 25.

Planning around the May 25 closure

If you receive a paycheck on May 23 or May 24, it will likely be available in your account by May 25 morning, even though the bank is closed. Direct deposits process automatically and do not require the bank to be open. Check your bank's deposit schedule if you are unsure.

If you need to deposit a physical check, do it on Friday, May 22. Checks deposited on Friday clear by Monday or Tuesday under normal circumstances, but the holiday adds a day. A check deposited on Friday, May 22 may not clear until Wednesday, May 27.

Bill payments scheduled through your bank's bill pay system process on time even if the bank is closed, as long as you set them up before the holiday. If you have a payment due on May 25 and have not scheduled it yet, do so by May 22 to be safe.

What to do if you need money on May 25

Withdraw cash before the holiday. If you think you will need cash on May 25, get it from an ATM on May 22, 23, or 24. ATMs do not run out of money on holidays, but it is better to plan ahead than to find yourself short.

Use your debit card instead of cash. Most merchants accept debit cards on holidays, and the transaction processes when ready. You do not need the bank to be open for this to work.

If you have an emergency and need to speak to someone at your bank on May 25, call the customer service number on the back of your card. Many banks staff phone lines on holidays, even when branches are closed. They cannot process deposits or withdrawals, but they can answer questions about your account and help with fraud or other urgent issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my direct deposit arrive on May 25 if the bank is closed?

Yes. Direct deposits process automatically and do not depend on the bank being open. Your paycheck will land in your account on the scheduled date, even if that date is a federal holiday. Check with your employer if you are unsure when the deposit is scheduled.

Can I use my debit card on May 25?

Yes. Debit card transactions process through merchant networks, not through your bank's branch system. You can use your card to buy things, withdraw cash from ATMs, and pay bills online on the holiday without any problem.

If I wire money on May 25, when will it arrive?

It depends on your bank. Some banks process wire transfers on federal holidays; others do not. Call your bank before you initiate a wire transfer on May 25 if the timing matters. If you cannot reach them, assume the transfer will not leave until May 26.

Do credit unions close on Memorial Day?

Most do, but not all. Some credit unions observe federal holidays the same way banks do; others stay open or have reduced hours. Check your credit union's website or call their main number to confirm their May 25 schedule.

What if I forgot to deposit a check before the holiday?

Deposit it on Tuesday, May 26 when the branch reopens. The check will not expire because of a one-day delay. Checks are typically good for six months, so a one-day wait makes no difference to whether it clears.