Most banks close on Memorial Day, but your money stays accessible
Memorial Day is a federal holiday, so most banks close their physical branches on the last Monday of May. You won't be able to walk in, speak to a teller, or use the drive-through. However, your account doesn't freeze — you can still use ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps to check balances, transfer money, or pay bills.
If you need cash before the holiday, withdraw it on Friday. If you're expecting a deposit (like a paycheck) on Memorial Day itself, it typically won't post until Tuesday. Some banks process deposits on holidays, but most don't, so plan accordingly if you're counting on that money.
Other May observances — like Cinco de Mayo (May 5) — are not federal holidays, so banks operate normally on those days. The only May date that affects banking nationwide is Memorial Day.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), but ATMs and online banking remain available all day.
- Deposits made on Memorial Day usually don't post until the next business day, so plan ahead if you're expecting money.
- Wire transfers and bill payments made through online banking on a holiday may not process until the following business day.
- Cinco de Mayo and other May observances are not federal holidays, so banks stay open and operate normally.
What you can and cannot do when your bank is closed
When a bank branch closes for a holiday, you lose access to services that require a person behind a counter. You cannot deposit checks by hand, withdraw large amounts of cash in person, open a new account, or speak to a banker about a problem with your account. If you need a cashier's check or a notary, you'll have to wait until Tuesday.
What remains open: ATMs work 24/7, regardless of whether the branch is staffed. Online banking portals and mobile apps work the same way they do on any other day. You can transfer money between your own accounts, send money to other people (if your bank offers that service), pay bills, and check your balance. Some banks also allow you to deposit checks by photographing them through the mobile app, which works on holidays.
If you try to make a wire transfer or send money to another bank on Memorial Day, the transaction usually enters a queue and processes the next business day. The same applies to bill payments made through your bank's bill-pay service — they schedule for Tuesday unless you set them up in advance for a different date.
Planning ahead for Memorial Day weekend
The Friday before Memorial Day is your final note to handle anything that requires a teller. If you need to deposit a check in person, withdraw a large sum, or ask a banker a question, do it before 5 p.m. on Friday (or whenever your bank closes that day — hours vary by branch).
If you're traveling over the long weekend, withdraw cash on Friday. ATMs in other cities work fine, but if you run out of money on Monday and your bank is closed, you'll have limited options. Some ATMs charge a fee if they're not part of your bank's network, so getting cash beforehand saves money.
If you're expecting a paycheck or other deposit on Monday, assume it won't show up until Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have bills due on Tuesday, make sure you have enough in your account already, or pay them online on Friday before the holiday. Automatic bill payments that are scheduled for Monday will usually process on Tuesday instead.
How holiday closures affect different types of transactions
Checks and deposits: A check you deposit in person on Friday will usually clear by Tuesday or Wednesday. A check you deposit through your mobile app on Monday will enter the processing queue and clear on Wednesday or Thursday. The exact timing depends on your bank and the bank that issued the check.
Transfers between your own accounts: These usually process when ready through online banking, even on a holiday. If you move money from savings to checking on Monday, it should be there when ready.
Payments to other people: If your bank offers Zelle, PayPal, or a similar service, those transfers usually go through on the same day, even on a holiday. Wire transfers and ACH transfers (which move money between different banks) typically queue up and process the next business day.
Bill payments: If you pay a bill through your bank's bill-pay system on Monday, the bank sends the payment on Tuesday. The person or company receiving it may not see it until Wednesday or later, depending on their processing schedule. If a bill is due on Tuesday, pay it on Friday instead.
What to do if you have an urgent banking problem on Memorial Day
If your debit card is lost or stolen, call the number on the back of your card — most banks have a 24/7 fraud line that works on holidays. They can freeze your card when ready and order a replacement. This is one of the few banking services that doesn't stop for holidays.
If you notice unauthorized charges on your account, report them the same way. Document what you see (take a screenshot if possible) and call the fraud line. Your bank will investigate, and you're usually protected from liability for fraudulent charges, but reporting quickly matters.
If you have a different kind of urgent problem — a locked account, a missing deposit, a billing error — you'll have to wait until Tuesday to speak to someone. In the meantime, use online banking to check your balance and review your recent transactions. Write down the details of the problem so you're ready when you call.
How to prepare your finances before a long weekend
The day before a holiday weekend, do a quick check: Do you have enough cash? Are all your bills paid or scheduled? Is there a check you need to deposit? Do you have any pending transfers that need to happen before the holiday?
If you use automatic bill pay, check which bills are scheduled for Monday or Tuesday. If a bill is due on Tuesday and you're relying on a Monday deposit that won't post until Wednesday, reschedule the bill payment for Wednesday or later. Most billers let you change the due date through their website.
If you're expecting money (a paycheck, a tax refund, a payment from someone else), don't count on it arriving on Monday. Assume Tuesday at the earliest. If you need that money to cover something on Monday, arrange it in advance or use a different source of funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Memorial Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM and any store, regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The only thing you cannot do is go inside the branch building.
Will my paycheck deposit on Monday if it's Memorial Day?
Most likely not. Direct deposits usually process on business days only. If your employer sends your paycheck on Friday for Monday deposit, it will arrive Monday. If they send it Monday, it will arrive Tuesday or Wednesday. Check with your employer about their schedule.
What if I need to deposit a check and the branch is closed?
If your bank has a mobile app, you can photograph the check and deposit it through the app on Monday. The check will enter the processing queue and clear on Wednesday or Thursday. If your bank doesn't offer mobile check deposit, you'll have to wait until Tuesday to deposit it in person.
Do I lose money if a transaction processes after a holiday?
No. A delayed transaction doesn't cost you anything extra. However, if you're counting on a deposit to cover a bill, and the deposit doesn't arrive until after the bill is due, you could face a late fee. Plan ahead to avoid this.
Is Cinco de Mayo a bank holiday?
No. Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is observed by some communities and businesses, but it is not a federal holiday. Banks are open and operate normally on that day.