Banks close on federal holidays declared by the U.S. government, which means you cannot visit a branch, use ATMs at that branch, or process certain transactions that day
A federal holiday is a day the federal government recognizes as a national observance. When a federal holiday falls on a weekday, most banks close their physical branches and their customer service lines. You can still use ATMs and mobile banking, but you cannot deposit checks at a teller, withdraw cash from a branch, or speak to someone about account issues.
The timing matters for money movement. If you deposit a check on a federal holiday, the bank processes it the next business day. If you send a wire transfer on a holiday, it goes out the next business day. Payments scheduled to post on a holiday usually post the day after instead.
Not every bank observes every federal holiday the same way. Some banks close on all eleven federal holidays. Others close on ten and stay open for one (usually Presidents' Day or Veterans Day). A few regional banks may close on state holidays that are not federal holidays. Check your bank's specific holiday schedule on their website or by calling their customer service line.
Key Takeaways
- Federal holidays are set by the U.S. government, and banks close their branches on these days, though ATMs and mobile banking remain available.
- The eleven federal holidays when most banks close are New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- Deposits and transfers made on a federal holiday are processed the next business day, not the same day.
- Some banks stay open on one or two federal holidays, so confirm your bank's schedule before you need to do business on a holiday.
The eleven federal holidays when most U.S. banks close
These are the days when the federal government is closed and most banks shut their branches:
| Holiday | Typical Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| MLK Jr. Day | Third Monday in January |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday instead. When it falls on a Sunday, most banks close on Monday. This is called an observed holiday. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, your bank closes on Friday, December 24.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, so all banks have observed it since 2022. Some banks may still be adjusting their schedules around this newer holiday, so double-check if you are planning a transaction on June 19.
What you can and cannot do on a bank holiday
On a federal holiday, your bank's physical branch is closed. You cannot walk in, speak to a teller, or use the drive-through. Customer service phone lines are also closed, so you cannot call to ask questions or report fraud.
What remains open: ATMs at your bank's locations work 24/7, even on holidays. Mobile banking apps and online banking portals stay active. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills online, and set up future transactions. You can also use ATMs at other banks or networks (though you may pay an out-of-network fee).
Transactions you initiate on a holiday are queued and process the next business day. If you deposit a check via mobile deposit on a holiday, the bank receives it and begins processing it on the next business day. If you schedule a bill payment for a holiday, it processes the next business day. Wire transfers initiated on a holiday go out the next business day.
If you need cash on a holiday, use an ATM. If you need to speak to someone, you will have to wait until the next business day. If a transaction is urgent and the holiday is a Friday, you may not see it clear until Monday.
How federal holidays affect payment timing
Banks count business days, not calendar days. A business day is a day the bank is open. When you see language like "funds arrive in 1 to 2 business days," a federal holiday does not count as a business day.
Example: You send a wire transfer on Thursday. The bank processes it Thursday and it arrives Friday. That is 1 business day. But if Thursday is a federal holiday, the bank does not process it until Friday, and it arrives Monday. That is still 1 business day, but it took 4 calendar days.
Checks deposited on a holiday follow the same rule. The bank does not begin processing the check until the next business day. If you deposit a check on Friday and Monday is a federal holiday, the bank starts processing Tuesday. Depending on the check amount and the issuing bank, funds may not clear until Thursday or Friday.
ACH transfers (the system most employers use to send paychecks) also pause on federal holidays. If your paycheck is scheduled to arrive on a holiday, it arrives the next business day instead. This is why some people receive paychecks on Friday if a Monday holiday is coming.
How to find your bank's specific holiday schedule
Most large banks (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank) close on all eleven federal holidays. But some regional banks, credit unions, and online banks may have different schedules. The only way to know for certain is to check your bank's website or call them.
Look for a page titled "Holiday Hours" or "Bank Holidays" on your bank's website. It usually lists which days the branch is closed and whether customer service is available. Some banks post this information in the fall for the coming year.
If you cannot find it online, call your bank's main customer service line during business hours and ask which federal holidays they observe. Write down the answer or take a screenshot so you have it when you need it.
If you use a credit union, call or visit their website. Credit unions are not required to follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, though most do. Some credit unions stay open on Presidents' Day or Columbus Day.
What happens if you need banking services on a holiday
If you need cash, use an ATM. Most ATMs work on holidays and dispense cash 24/7. You may pay a fee if you use an ATM outside your bank's network, but the transaction goes through when ready.
If you need to move money between accounts, use mobile banking or online banking. You can transfer funds between your own accounts when ready on a holiday. You can also set up bill payments or schedule transfers for the next business day.
If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit if your bank offers it. Take a photo of the front and back of the check through the app, and the bank processes it the next business day. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, you will have to wait until the branch reopens.
If you need to speak to someone about a problem—a fraudulent charge, a missing deposit, a locked account—you will have to wait until the next business day. If the holiday is a Friday, you cannot reach customer service until Monday. If it is a Monday holiday, you cannot reach them until Tuesday. Plan ahead if you know you will need help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?
Most large banks close on all eleven federal holidays. Some regional banks and credit unions may stay open on one or two holidays like Presidents' Day or Columbus Day. Check your specific bank's website or call them to confirm their schedule.
If a federal holiday falls on a weekend, when does the bank close?
If the holiday falls on Saturday, the bank closes on Friday. If it falls on Sunday, the bank closes on Monday. This is called observing the holiday. For example, if Independence Day falls on a Sunday, your bank closes on Monday, July 5.
Can I use my debit card or ATM on a federal holiday?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7 on federal holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. Debit cards work at any merchant on a holiday. Only the bank's physical branch and customer service phone line are closed.
If I deposit a check on a federal holiday, when does it clear?
The bank begins processing the check the next business day. Depending on the check amount and the issuing bank, funds typically clear within 1 to 3 business days after that. If you deposit on a Friday and Monday is a holiday, processing starts Tuesday.
Will my paycheck arrive on time if a federal holiday falls on payday?
Most employers schedule paychecks to arrive the business day before a holiday, so you receive them on Friday if Monday is a holiday. Some employers deposit on the holiday itself, in which case the deposit processes the next business day. Check with your employer's payroll department if you are unsure.