Most banks close on Veterans Day, but the timing depends on which day the holiday falls

Veterans Day is November 11. When November 11 lands on a weekday, most banks close for the full day. When it lands on a weekend, banks observe the holiday on the nearest weekday — usually the Friday before if November 11 is a Saturday, or the Monday after if it is a Sunday. The Federal Reserve, which sets the official holiday schedule for the banking system, publishes its calendar each year.

If you need to do banking on or around Veterans Day, plan ahead. ATMs and online banking stay open, but you cannot visit a branch, speak to a teller, or process time-sensitive transactions that require a person on the other end. Wire transfers, loan approvals, and check deposits that need verification all wait until the next business day.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks close on Veterans Day when it falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), and observe it on the nearest weekday when November 11 lands on a weekend.
  • ATMs and online banking work normally on Veterans Day, but you cannot visit a branch or speak to a banker.
  • Wire transfers, loan approvals, and deposits requiring verification process the next business day after the holiday.
  • Credit unions follow the same Federal Reserve holiday schedule as banks, though a few smaller institutions may have different hours.

What stays open and what closes on Veterans Day

ATMs operate 24/7 on Veterans Day, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance anytime. Online banking portals stay live, and you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or review statements from home. Mobile banking apps work the same way.

What does not work: visiting a physical branch, speaking to a loan officer, depositing checks that need human review, processing wire transfers, or getting a cashier's check. Any transaction that requires a banker to act on your behalf waits until the next business day. If you need cash before the holiday, withdraw it beforehand. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit (photograph and upload through your app) or mail it, though mailed checks take several days to clear.

When Veterans Day falls on a weekend

If November 11 is a Saturday, banks observe the holiday on Friday, November 10. If November 11 is a Sunday, banks observe it on Monday, November 12. The Federal Reserve publishes its annual holiday schedule in advance, so you can check your bank's website or call ahead to confirm the exact date your branch will be closed.

Some banks post their holiday hours on their homepage or in their mobile app. If you are unsure, a quick phone call to your branch during regular business hours will confirm whether they are open the day you need them.

How Veterans Day affects payments and deposits

If you mail a check or schedule a bill payment to arrive on Veterans Day, it does not process until the next business day. Banks do not clear checks or post payments on federal holidays. If you have a bill due on or near Veterans Day, send the payment a few days early to avoid a late fee.

Deposits made through ATM or mobile deposit on Veterans Day post to your account the next business day, the same as any other day. Deposits made in person at a branch wait until the branch reopens. If you are expecting a direct deposit (paycheck, government benefit, tax refund) on Veterans Day, it arrives on schedule — direct deposits process automatically through the Federal Reserve's system and do not stop for holidays.

Credit unions and smaller banks on Veterans Day

Credit unions follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, so they close on Veterans Day the same way banks do. A few very small credit unions or community banks may have different policies, but this is rare. If you bank at a smaller institution, check their website or call to confirm their Veterans Day hours.

Online-only banks (those with no physical branches) do not have branch closures, but they still follow the Federal Reserve schedule for processing transactions. A wire transfer initiated on Veterans Day will not move until the next business day, even though you can request it through the app.

Planning around Veterans Day closures

If you know you will need banking services around Veterans Day, handle it before the holiday. Withdraw cash, deposit checks through your mobile app, and schedule bill payments to arrive a few days early. If you need a wire transfer or cashier's check, process it the day before the holiday.

If you are waiting for a check to clear or a deposit to post, remember that the holiday adds a day to the timeline. A check deposited on November 10 (the day before a Friday Veterans Day closure) may not clear until November 13. Direct deposits and automatic payments are not affected — they process on schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?

Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and merchants on Veterans Day just like any other day. The holiday only affects your bank branch and transactions that require a banker to process them.

Will my paycheck deposit on Veterans Day?

Direct deposits process automatically through the Federal Reserve system and arrive on schedule, even on Veterans Day. Your paycheck deposits the same day it would any other day.

What if I need to wire money on Veterans Day?

You can request a wire through your online banking or mobile app, but the bank will not send it until the next business day. If you need the money to arrive by a specific date, initiate the wire the day before the holiday.

Do online banks close on Veterans Day?

Online banks have no physical branches, so there is no closure to notice. However, transactions that require Federal Reserve processing (like wire transfers) still wait until the next business day.

Can I still pay bills on Veterans Day?

You can schedule bill payments through your online banking on Veterans Day, and they will process the next business day. If your bill is due on or near the holiday, schedule the payment a few days early to be safe.