Most banks close on Veterans Day, but the timing and which ones depends on where you bank

Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. If November 11 is a weekday, most banks in the United States will be closed that day. If November 11 falls on a weekend, banks observe the holiday on the nearest weekday — usually the Friday before if it's a Saturday, or the Monday after if it's a Sunday.

The Federal Reserve, which sets the official holiday schedule for the banking system, designates Veterans Day as a federal holiday. This means banks that are members of the Federal Reserve system — which includes nearly all major banks — must close. However, some credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different policies, so checking with your specific institution matters.

ATMs and online banking remain available even when physical branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, check balances, transfer money between accounts, and pay bills online without interruption. The closure only affects in-person services like speaking to a teller, explore for a loan, or resolving account issues face-to-face.

Key Takeaways

  • Major banks close on Veterans Day (November 11) when it falls on a weekday, or on the observed date if it falls on a weekend.
  • ATMs and online banking work normally on Veterans Day, so you can access your money and conduct routine transactions.
  • Checks deposited on Veterans Day will not be processed until the next business day, which may delay when funds appear in your account.
  • If you need in-person banking services, plan ahead by visiting your branch the day before or the day after the holiday.
  • Credit unions and smaller banks may have different holiday schedules, so confirm with your institution if you are unsure.

What you can and cannot do when your bank is closed

When a bank closes for Veterans Day, you lose access to teller services, loan officers, and customer service representatives at the branch. You cannot deposit checks in person, open new accounts, or discuss account problems with staff. If you need a cashier's check or a notary, you will have to wait until the next business day.

Online and mobile banking continue without interruption. You can log into your account, view transactions, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and send money to other people through your bank's app or website. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs. Wire transfers initiated before the bank closes may process, but new wire requests may not go through until the next business day — check your bank's specific policy.

Checks you deposit through an ATM or mobile app on Veterans Day will be processed the next business day. This means if you deposit a check on the holiday, the funds may not appear in your account until the day after the bank reopens. If you need the money quickly, deposit it the day before instead.

How to plan if you need banking services around Veterans Day

If you know you will need in-person banking services around Veterans Day, visit your branch the day before the holiday. Deposit checks, withdraw cash, or handle any account changes while the branch is open. This prevents delays and ensures you have the cash or account access you need over the holiday weekend.

If you are expecting a check to arrive near Veterans Day, deposit it early. Mail delivery can be unpredictable, and if a check arrives on the holiday itself, you cannot deposit it in person. Mobile check deposit through your bank's app works on the holiday, so that is an option if you have the app set up.

For bill payments, use online bill pay or set up automatic payments well before the holiday. If a bill is due on or shortly after Veterans Day, schedule the payment to go out before the bank closes. This prevents late fees and gives you a buffer in case the payment takes an extra day to process.

Which banks close and which ones might stay open

All major national banks close on Veterans Day: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, and others that are part of the Federal Reserve system. Regional banks that are Fed members also close. The Federal Reserve publishes an official holiday calendar each year, and banks follow it.

Some credit unions may have different policies. A few credit unions stay open on federal holidays or have limited hours. Call your credit union directly to confirm whether they will be open on Veterans Day. The same applies to smaller community banks — while most close, a handful may operate on a modified schedule.

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and others do not have physical branches, so there is no "closing" in the traditional sense. However, they may have reduced customer service availability on federal holidays. Check your bank's website or call their customer service line before the holiday to confirm what services will be available.

What happens to automatic payments and direct deposits on Veterans Day

Direct deposits scheduled for Veterans Day may arrive a day late. If your paycheck or government benefit is set to deposit on November 11 and the bank is closed, the deposit typically processes the next business day. Check with your employer or the agency sending the payment to confirm their schedule — some payroll systems deposit the day before a holiday to avoid delays.

Automatic bill payments set up through your bank will process on their scheduled date, even if the bank is closed. The payment leaves your account and goes to the payee, but the timing may shift slightly. If a payment is scheduled for Veterans Day itself, it may process on the next business day instead. Review your automatic payments before the holiday to avoid confusion.

Recurring transfers between your own accounts at the same bank will also process on schedule, even during the holiday. The bank's systems run automatically, so these transactions do not require staff to be present.

Planning ahead for holiday weekends that include Veterans Day

When Veterans Day falls on a Thursday or Friday, you have a long weekend. Banks close on the holiday, so if you need cash or in-person services, get them on Wednesday or earlier. The same applies if Veterans Day falls on a Monday — visit your branch on Friday before the weekend.

If Veterans Day falls on a Saturday, banks observe the holiday on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday. Check the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar or your bank's website to confirm the observed date for the year you are planning for.

For holiday weekends, withdraw extra cash on the last business day before the closure. This prevents the need to find an ATM that works or to wait until the bank reopens. If you use a debit card, make sure you have enough available balance to cover purchases over the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my ATM work on Veterans Day?

Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 even when the bank is closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts at any ATM that accepts your card. Some ATMs charge a fee if they are not owned by your bank, so use your bank's ATM if possible.

Can I deposit a check on Veterans Day?

You can deposit a check through a mobile app or ATM on Veterans Day, and it will be processed the next business day. You cannot deposit a check in person at a closed branch. If you need the funds when ready, deposit the check the day before the holiday.

What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on Veterans Day?

Call your bank's customer service line. Most banks have phone support available even on federal holidays, though wait times may be longer. Online chat support may also be available through your bank's website or app. For urgent issues, contact them the day before the holiday.

Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?

Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, but some stay open or have limited hours. Call your credit union directly to confirm their holiday schedule. Do not assume they follow the same schedule as banks.

Will my paycheck deposit late if it is scheduled for Veterans Day?

Possibly. Direct deposits scheduled for a federal holiday may arrive the next business day. Contact your employer or payroll department before the holiday to ask whether they deposit the day before to avoid delays, or if deposits on holidays automatically shift to the next business day.