Bank holidays are set dates when most U.S. banks close, but which day is a holiday depends on the federal calendar and your bank's own rules
A bank holiday is a day when federal banks and most commercial banks shut down and do not process transactions. The federal government sets 11 official holidays each year — 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. On these dates, the Federal Reserve does not operate, and banks do not clear checks or process wire transfers.
Whether your specific bank is closed today depends on two things: whether today is one of those 11 federal holidays, and whether your bank observes it. Most banks do, but some credit unions and smaller institutions keep different schedules. If you need to know whether your bank is open right now, call the branch directly or check your bank's website — they post holiday schedules in advance.
The reason this matters is that transactions you send on a bank holiday will not process until the next business day. A wire transfer sent on a holiday will sit in the queue. A check deposited on a holiday will not clear until the day after the bank reopens. Understanding which days are holidays helps you time payments and deposits so they land when you expect them to.
Key Takeaways
- The 11 federal bank holidays are set by law, but individual banks decide whether to close on each one — most do, but some do not.
- Transactions sent on a bank holiday do not process until the next business day, so a wire or check deposit will be delayed by at least one day.
- Your bank's website or a phone call to your branch will tell you whether they are open today and which dates they observe as holidays.
- Some banks stay open on certain holidays or offer limited services, so checking in advance prevents missed important date on time-sensitive payments.
The 11 Federal Bank Holidays and When They Fall
The federal government recognizes these 11 holidays, and on each one the Federal Reserve closes and most banks follow suit:
| Holiday | Typical Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Third Monday in January |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas | December 25 |
When a holiday falls on a weekend, the federal government and most banks observe it on the nearest weekday — usually the Friday before or the Monday after. This means a holiday can shift by a day depending on the year. For example, if Independence Day falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead.
Some banks also close on the day after Thanksgiving, even though it is not a federal holiday. A few regional banks observe additional state holidays. The safest approach is to check your bank's specific holiday schedule rather than assume all banks follow the federal list exactly.
Why Bank Holidays Affect Your Transactions
When a bank is closed, it does not process any transactions — not wire transfers, not check deposits, not ACH payments. The transaction sits in a queue and processes on the next business day. This means if you send a wire transfer on a Friday that is a bank holiday, it will not move until Monday. If you deposit a check on a holiday, it will not clear until the day after the bank reopens.
This delay matters most for time-sensitive payments. If you owe a bill on a specific date and you send the payment on a bank holiday, it may arrive late even though you sent it on time. Credit card payments, loan payments, and rent payments can all be affected. The transaction timestamp is usually when you sent it, not when it processed, but some creditors count the processing date instead — so it is worth confirming with them how they handle holiday delays.
Wire transfers are especially important to plan around. A wire sent on a holiday will not leave your bank until the next business day, and it may take an additional day to reach the recipient's bank. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, send it at least two business days before that date, or one day before if the holiday is not in between.
How to Check If Your Bank Is Open Today
The fastest way to know whether your bank is open is to call the branch directly or check your bank's website. Most banks post their holiday schedule online, usually under a "Hours" or "Locations" section. You can also look at your bank's mobile app — many show whether the branch is open today and list upcoming closures.
If you are not sure which branch you use or do not have the number, search "[Your Bank Name] near me" and click on the branch location. The Google Business listing or the bank's own website will show today's hours. If it says "Closed" or does not list hours for today, the branch is not operating.
For online banking, most banks keep their websites and apps running on holidays — you can usually log in and see your balance or set up a payment. The payment will just not process until the next business day. Some banks also offer limited services through ATMs and customer service phone lines on holidays, so it is worth asking if you need something urgent.
Planning Payments Around Bank Holidays
If you have a payment due on or near a bank holiday, send it at least one business day before the holiday. If the holiday is Monday, send the payment on Friday. If the holiday is Friday, send it on Thursday. This gives the bank time to process it before the closure.
For bills with automatic payments, check when your bank processes them. Many automatic payments are scheduled for a specific date, and if that date is a bank holiday, the payment will process the next business day instead. Your creditor should accept this delay, but confirm with them if the payment is large or time-sensitive.
Wire transfers need extra planning. If you need money to arrive by a specific date and a bank holiday is in the way, send the wire at least two business days before that date. For example, if you need money to arrive on Tuesday and Monday is a bank holiday, send the wire on Friday. This accounts for both the holiday delay and the normal one-day processing time for wires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM or mobile app on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs and mobile banking apps usually work on bank holidays because they are automated. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. However, any transaction that requires the bank to process it — like a wire transfer or a payment to someone else — will not go through until the next business day.
What if I send a payment on a bank holiday by mistake?
The payment will sit in the queue and process on the next business day. As long as your creditor counts the processing date as the payment date (which most do), you should be fine. If they count the date you sent it, you may be considered on time. Call your creditor if you are worried about a late fee — they can often see that you sent it before the important date even if it processed after.
Do all banks close on all 11 federal holidays?
Most do, but not all. Some credit unions, online banks, and smaller institutions keep different schedules. A few banks stay open on certain holidays or offer limited services. Check your bank's specific holiday schedule rather than assuming. Your bank's website will list which holidays they observe.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, when does the bank close?
The bank usually closes on the nearest weekday — Friday if the holiday is Saturday, or Monday if the holiday is Sunday. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday. Check your bank's schedule to be sure, because some banks handle this differently.
Will my direct deposit come through on a bank holiday?
Direct deposits scheduled for a bank holiday will usually process on the next business day instead. Your employer sends the deposit on the scheduled date, but the bank does not receive or credit it until the bank reopens. If your payday falls on a bank holiday, expect the deposit to arrive the next business day.