How to know if today is a bank holiday
The simplest way to check is to look at your bank's website or call their customer service line — they will tell you directly whether they are open today. If your bank is closed, it is observing a federal holiday. You can also check the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar, which lists all days when U.S. banks close for federal holidays.
Federal bank holidays are set by law and explore to all banks across the country on the same days. However, some banks may close on additional days for state holidays or internal observances, so checking your specific bank is more reliable than a general list.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank's website or phone line will confirm whether they are open today — this is the fastest way to know for certain.
- The Federal Reserve publishes an official holiday calendar showing all federal holidays when banks close nationwide.
- Banks may also close on state holidays or regional observances beyond the federal list, so your bank's schedule may differ from another bank's.
- If you need to make a time-sensitive payment on a bank holiday, you can usually submit it through your bank's app or website, and it will process the next business day.
The Federal Reserve's official holiday list
The Federal Reserve maintains a calendar of holidays when member banks close. These are the days when most U.S. banks do not process transactions, though some online banking functions may still work. The list includes New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
You can find the Federal Reserve's current holiday schedule on their website under "Payment Systems" or "Operating Hours." The calendar shows which specific dates explore each year, since some holidays fall on different calendar dates annually.
Why your bank might be closed when others are open
State holidays and regional observances can cause variation between banks. For example, some states recognize Robert E. Lee's birthday or Cesar Chavez Day as holidays, while others do not. Banks headquartered in or operating primarily in those states may close on those days even if the Federal Reserve does not.
Additionally, some banks close for internal reasons — staff training days, system maintenance, or local events. A bank branch in a specific city might close for a city holiday that does not affect other branches. This is why checking your own bank's schedule is more accurate than relying on a national list.
What happens if you try to do banking on a holiday
If you attempt a transaction at an ATM or through your bank's mobile app on a holiday, the transaction usually goes through, but it will not be processed until the next business day. Checks you deposit, transfers you initiate, and payments you schedule will all sit in a queue until the bank reopens.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers submitted on a holiday will also wait until the next business day to process. If you need money to move urgently, submitting the request on a holiday means a one-day delay at minimum. Some banks allow you to schedule transactions in advance, which can help if you know a holiday is coming.
How to prepare if you need banking services on a holiday
If you know a holiday is coming and you need to move money or pay a bill, submit your request the business day before. Most banks allow you to schedule transfers and payments several days in advance, so you can set them up to process on the first business day after the holiday.
Keep cash on hand if you think you might need it during a holiday weekend. ATMs usually work even when the bank building is closed, but if your account is low or you need a large withdrawal, you will want to get cash beforehand. If you use a smaller bank or credit union, their ATM network may be more limited on holidays.
Bank holidays versus stock market holidays
Bank holidays and stock market holidays are not always the same day. The stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) closes on federal holidays, but it also closes on days when banks remain open. For example, the day after Thanksgiving is a stock market holiday but not a federal bank holiday — banks are open, but you cannot trade stocks.
If you are moving money between a brokerage account and a bank account, check both calendars. A bank may be open while your brokerage is closed, which means your transfer request will not process until the brokerage reopens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on bank holidays because those systems run independently of the bank's main offices. Your bank is closed, but the payment networks that process card transactions continue operating.
Will a check I deposit on a holiday clear faster or slower?
Slower. Checks deposited on a holiday enter the processing queue but do not begin clearing until the next business day. A check deposited on Friday before a three-day weekend will not start clearing until Tuesday.
Do credit unions close on the same days as banks?
Most credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, but some observe additional holidays or have different hours. Check your credit union's website or call to confirm their holiday schedule.
What if I need to wire money on a bank holiday?
Wire transfer requests submitted on a holiday will not process until the next business day. If the timing is critical, submit your request the day before the holiday instead.
Are online banks closed on bank holidays?
Online banks do not have physical locations, so they do not "close" the way brick-and-mortar banks do. However, their processing systems still follow federal holiday schedules, so transfers and payments submitted on a holiday will not process until the next business day.