Banks close on 11 federal holidays each year, plus some additional days set by individual banks

U.S. banks shut their doors on the same days the federal government does. Those are 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. Most banks also close on the day after Thanksgiving. If a holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead — usually the Friday before or the Monday after.

Some banks add extra closure days beyond the federal list. A few large banks close on Christmas Eve afternoon or the day after Christmas. Regional banks and credit unions sometimes observe local or religious holidays. Your bank's website or a call to your branch will tell you their specific schedule.

When a bank is closed, you cannot visit a branch, use a teller, or conduct business in person. ATMs and online banking usually stay open. Deposits made at an ATM or through a mobile app on a holiday will post the next business day. Wire transfers and ACH payments sent on a holiday typically process the following business day.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks close on 11 federal holidays each year: New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
  • When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks close on the nearest weekday — usually Friday if the holiday is on Saturday, or Monday if it is on Sunday.
  • Most banks also close the day after Thanksgiving, and some close on Christmas Eve afternoon or December 26.
  • ATMs and online banking remain open on bank holidays, but deposits and transfers made that day will process the next business day.
  • Individual banks may observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so check your bank's website for their complete closure calendar.

The 11 federal holidays when all banks close

Every U.S. bank observes the same 11 federal holidays. Congress sets these dates, and banks are required to close on them. The holidays are spread across the calendar: 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), and Christmas (December 25).

The day after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday, but most banks treat it as one anyway. Some banks close that Friday as a matter of practice, even though they are not required to. A few do not. Check your bank's calendar if you need to know whether they will be open the day after Thanksgiving.

What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend

If a federal holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, banks close on the nearest weekday instead. When the holiday is on a Saturday, banks close on Friday. When it is on a Sunday, they close on Monday. This rule keeps the bank closed for one day per holiday, not two.

For example, when Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, July 3. When Christmas (December 25) falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, December 26. The federal government follows the same rule, so the observed holiday date is always a weekday.

Banks that close on additional days

Beyond the 11 federal holidays, some banks close on days of their own choosing. A handful of large national banks close on Christmas Eve afternoon (usually after 2 p.m.) or on December 26. Regional banks and credit unions sometimes close on local holidays or religious observances that matter to their communities. A bank in a city with a major local celebration might close for that day even if it is not a federal holiday.

The safest approach is to check your specific bank's holiday schedule on their website or by calling your branch. Most banks post their closure calendar online, sometimes under a heading like "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Closures." If you are planning a transaction for a day you think might be a holiday, a quick search for your bank's name plus "holiday hours" will give you the answer.

How bank closures affect deposits and transfers

When you deposit money at an ATM or through your bank's mobile app on a holiday, the deposit is recorded when ready in your account, but the funds do not actually post until the next business day. The bank processes the physical deposit during their next operating day. This means if you deposit a check on Thanksgiving, it will show as pending on Thanksgiving but will clear on Friday.

Wire transfers and ACH payments (like bill payments or direct deposits) sent on a holiday will not process until the next business day. If you send a wire transfer on a Friday that is a holiday, it will not leave your account until Monday. The receiving bank will not see it until Monday either. This matters if you are trying to pay a bill by a certain date — sending it on a holiday can push the processing date forward by a day.

ATMs and online banking platforms stay open on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills online without any interruption. Only in-person branch services and certain transactions that require bank staff are affected by closures.

Planning around bank holidays

If you need to deposit a check or conduct business at a branch, plan ahead when a holiday is coming. Deposits made the business day before a holiday will post normally. If you know you will need cash, withdraw it before the holiday. If you are sending a wire transfer or bill payment and the important date falls on or near a holiday, send it at least one business day early to be safe.

For recurring payments like mortgage or rent, most people set these up as automatic transfers or ACH payments, which process on schedule even when banks are closed. If you pay manually, mark your calendar to send the payment before any holiday that falls near your due date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my ATM on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at an ATM even when the branch is closed. Deposits made at an ATM on a holiday will post the next business day.

Will my direct deposit arrive on a bank holiday?

No. Direct deposits scheduled for a bank holiday will arrive on the next business day instead. If your payday falls on a holiday, the deposit typically arrives the day before or the day after, depending on your employer's payroll schedule and your bank's processing rules.

What if I need to visit a branch on a holiday?

You cannot. All branches are closed on federal holidays. If you need to speak with someone, call your bank's customer service line — many operate on holidays — or visit the next business day. For urgent issues, some banks have 24/7 phone support.

Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?

Most credit unions close on the same 11 federal holidays as banks, but some observe additional days. A few credit unions stay open on certain federal holidays if their membership is large enough to justify staffing. Check your credit union's website for their specific holiday schedule.

If a holiday is on Sunday, do banks close on Monday or stay open?

Banks close on Monday when a federal holiday falls on Sunday. The observed holiday is always moved to the nearest weekday, so you will not be able to visit a branch on Monday in that case.