Most banks close early or stay closed on Christmas Eve
Whether your bank is open on Christmas Eve depends on the day of the week and your bank's individual policy. If Christmas Eve falls on a weekday, many banks open for part of the day but close earlier than usual — often by noon or 1 p.m. If it falls on a weekend, your bank is almost certainly closed. A few banks stay open normal hours, but this is uncommon.
The safest approach is to check your specific bank's website or call the branch directly, because banks set their own Christmas Eve hours. Federal Reserve banks and most credit unions follow similar patterns, but not identical ones. If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, plan to do it the day before Christmas Eve or wait until the day after Christmas.
ATMs and mobile banking stay available regardless of branch hours. You can deposit checks through your bank's app, transfer money between accounts, and withdraw cash from ATMs on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Online bill payments also process normally, though payments scheduled for Christmas Day itself may not post until the 26th.
Key Takeaways
- Most bank branches close early on Christmas Eve if it falls on a weekday, often by noon or 1 p.m., and are fully closed if Christmas Eve is a Saturday or Sunday.
- Your specific bank's Christmas Eve hours vary by location and institution, so calling your branch or checking online is the only way to know for certain.
- ATMs, mobile apps, and online banking work normally on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you can deposit checks and move money without visiting a branch.
- If you need to speak to a person at your bank on Christmas Eve, plan to call or visit in the morning, before the branch closes.
How Christmas Eve hours differ by bank type
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank typically close their branches by noon or 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve if it falls on a Monday through Friday. Some locations may stay open until 2 p.m., but early closure is the standard. Regional and community banks follow similar patterns, though a few stay open until 3 p.m.
Credit unions often mirror their member banks' hours but sometimes close earlier. The National Credit Union Administration does not set a federal requirement for Christmas Eve hours, so each credit union decides independently. Call your credit union the week before Christmas to confirm.
Online-only banks have no physical branches, so Christmas Eve hours do not explore to them. You can access your account, transfer money, and deposit checks through your app or website at any time. If you need to speak to customer service, most online banks maintain phone support on Christmas Eve, though wait times may be longer.
What you can and cannot do on Christmas Eve
You can deposit checks through your bank's mobile app or ATM on Christmas Eve, even if the branch is closed. Mobile check deposit typically processes within one business day, so a check deposited on Christmas Eve usually shows in your account by December 26th. ATM deposits work the same way.
You cannot visit a teller, open a new account, or get a cashier's check on Christmas Eve if your branch is closed. Wire transfers initiated through a branch also stop when the branch closes, though some banks allow you to request a wire through their app or website. The wire may not process until December 26th, depending on the receiving bank's schedule.
Bill payments scheduled through your bank's online system process normally on Christmas Eve. If you set a payment to go out on Christmas Day itself, it may not leave your account until December 26th, because the banking system observes Christmas as a federal holiday. Check your bank's website for its specific cutoff time.
Planning ahead if you need cash or services
Withdraw cash on December 23rd or 24th morning if you know you will need it over the Christmas period. ATMs work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but if your branch closes early and you need a large withdrawal or a specific service, you will need to plan ahead.
If you need a cashier's check, certified funds, or help with a transaction that requires a teller, visit your branch on December 23rd. These services are not available through ATMs or mobile apps, and most branches will not provide them on Christmas Eve afternoon or Christmas Day.
For wire transfers, initiate them by mid-morning on December 23rd if they need to process before December 26th. Many banks have a cutoff time — often 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. — after which wires do not process until the next business day. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are not business days for wire processing purposes.
How to find your bank's specific Christmas Eve hours
Visit your bank's website and search for "holiday hours" or "Christmas hours." Most banks publish their Christmas Eve schedule in early December. You can also look up your specific branch location and see its hours listed on Google Maps or the bank's branch locator tool.
Call your branch directly if the website does not list Christmas Eve hours. Ask whether the branch is open on Christmas Eve, what time it closes, and whether any services (like wire transfers or account opening) are available. Write down the information so you have it when you need it.
If you bank with a credit union, call the main office or check the website. Credit unions sometimes have different hours at different branches, so confirm the location you plan to visit.
What happens if Christmas Eve falls on a weekend
If Christmas Eve is a Saturday, your bank is closed on both Saturday and Sunday, and also closed on Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day). Your next opportunity to visit a branch in person is Tuesday, December 26th. Plan any in-person banking for Friday, December 23rd.
If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, your bank is already closed that day. Christmas Day is Monday, also closed. You can visit on Saturday, December 23rd, or wait until Tuesday, December 26th.
ATMs and mobile banking work normally on weekends, so you can still deposit checks, transfer money, and withdraw cash even if the branch is closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on Christmas Eve?
Yes, through your mobile app or an ATM. The deposit processes within one business day, so a check deposited on Christmas Eve shows in your account by December 26th. You cannot deposit a check at a teller if the branch is closed.
Will my bill payment go through on Christmas Eve?
Payments scheduled through your bank's online system process normally on Christmas Eve. If you schedule a payment for Christmas Day itself, it may not leave your account until December 26th, because the banking system treats Christmas as a federal holiday.
Can I get a wire transfer on Christmas Eve?
Only if you initiate it before your branch closes on Christmas Eve morning. Most wires initiated after 2 p.m. do not process until the next business day. Christmas Eve afternoon and Christmas Day are not business days for wire processing.
What if I need cash and the bank is closed?
Use an ATM. ATMs work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If you need a large amount of cash, withdraw it on December 23rd or 24th morning before the branch closes.
Do credit unions have different Christmas Eve hours than banks?
Sometimes. Credit unions set their own hours, so one credit union may close at noon while another stays open until 3 p.m. Call your credit union to confirm its Christmas Eve schedule.