The next federal bank holiday depends on today's date and which holiday comes next on the calendar
If today is in early January, the next federal bank holiday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday of January. If you are reading this in February or later, the next one is Presidents' Day on the third Monday of February. The pattern continues through the year: Memorial Day (last Monday of May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday of September), Columbus Day (second Monday of October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday of November), and Christmas (December 25).
On a federal bank holiday, most banks close their physical branches and do not process certain transactions. However, what actually stops and what continues depends on the type of transaction and your bank's systems. Understanding the difference between what pauses and what moves forward is the practical thing to know.
Key Takeaways
- Federal bank holidays fall on set dates each year, and most banks close their branches on these days, though online banking and ATMs usually remain available.
- Wire transfers, ACH transfers, and checks typically do not process on a bank holiday, meaning a transaction sent on a holiday will not move until the next business day.
- Debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals work normally on bank holidays because they do not require the bank's processing staff.
- If a holiday falls on a weekend, the observed holiday is usually the following Monday, which means banks close on Monday instead.
- Different banks may have different hours or closures on or around holidays, so checking your bank's specific schedule prevents surprises.
What stops moving on a bank holiday
Wire transfers do not process on federal bank holidays. If you send a wire transfer on a holiday, it sits in your bank's queue until the next business day. The same applies to ACH transfers—the automated clearing house that moves money between accounts at different banks does not operate on federal holidays. A check you deposit on a holiday will not clear until the next business day, and the funds will not be available until then.
Phone banking and in-person services at branch locations stop. You cannot walk into a branch, speak to a teller, or call customer service lines that require human staff. However, most banks keep their automated phone systems running, so you can check your balance or report a lost card through the automated menu.
Loan applications, mortgage processing, and other services that require a loan officer or underwriter pause. If you are waiting for a loan decision or need to sign closing documents, those do not happen on a bank holiday.
What continues working on a bank holiday
Online banking portals stay open. You can log in, check your balance, view transactions, and set up future transfers. The transfer itself will not process until the next business day, but you can schedule it.
ATMs work normally. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (though they will not clear until the next business day), and transfer money between your own accounts at the same bank.
Debit card purchases go through as usual. Your card works at stores, gas stations, and online retailers. The transaction settles normally because it does not require your bank's back-office staff to process it manually.
Direct deposits scheduled for a bank holiday may still post, depending on your employer and your bank. Some employers process payroll the day before a holiday to may support it lands on time. Ask your payroll department if you are unsure about the timing of a holiday paycheck.
How the observed date works when a holiday falls on a weekend
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks observe it on Friday instead. When it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday. This means the day your bank actually closes shifts, but the federal holiday itself does not move.
For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, December 24. If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, January 2. The federal government and most employers follow the same rule, so the observed day is usually consistent across institutions.
Some banks may close on both the actual holiday and the observed day if the holiday falls on a weekend and the bank chooses to do so, though this is less common. Check your bank's holiday schedule to be certain.
Planning around bank holidays for time-sensitive transactions
If you need money to move by a specific date, do not send a wire transfer or ACH on a bank holiday or the day before one. A wire sent on Friday before a three-day weekend (Friday is a business day, but Saturday and Sunday are not) will process on Friday. However, a wire sent on a Monday that is a bank holiday will not process until Tuesday.
For checks, deposit them at least two business days before you need the funds available. A check deposited on a Friday before a Monday holiday will not clear until Wednesday.
If you are expecting a direct deposit on or around a bank holiday, contact your employer or the organization sending the payment to confirm the timing. Some payroll systems automatically adjust to send deposits the day before a holiday; others do not.
The federal bank holiday calendar for the current year
| Holiday | Date | Observed (if on weekend) |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Monday if on Sunday; Friday if on Saturday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Third Monday of January | Always a Monday |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday of February | Always a Monday |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday of May | Always a Monday |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Monday if on Sunday; Friday if on Saturday |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Monday if on Sunday; Friday if on Saturday |
| Labor Day | First Monday of September | Always a Monday |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday of October | Always a Monday |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Monday if on Sunday; Friday if on Saturday |
| Thanksgiving | Fourth Thursday of November | Always a Thursday |
| Christmas | December 25 | Monday if on Sunday; Friday if on Saturday |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit on a bank holiday?
It depends on your employer's payroll schedule. Many employers process payroll the day before a holiday to may support deposits land on time. Contact your payroll department to confirm whether your check will deposit on the holiday or the day before. Direct deposit systems often work around bank holidays automatically.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit card transactions process normally on bank holidays because they do not require your bank's staff to manually process them. You can make purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs as usual.
What happens if I send a wire transfer on a bank holiday?
The wire will not process until the next business day. If you send it on a Monday that is a federal bank holiday, it will process on Tuesday. If you send it on Friday before a three-day weekend, it will process on Friday because Friday is a business day.
Do all banks close on the same bank holidays?
Most banks close on federal bank holidays, but some banks may have different hours or stay open for limited services. Check your specific bank's holiday schedule on their website or by calling a branch to confirm their closure dates and times.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, do banks close on Friday or Monday?
Banks observe the holiday on the nearest weekday: Friday if the holiday falls on Saturday, and Monday if it falls on Sunday. This is the federal standard, though individual banks may have variations, so verify with your bank.