Most banks will be closed on Good Friday, but the timing depends on where you bank
Good Friday is a federal holiday in the United States, which means most banks observe it as a day off. If you bank with a major national institution—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, or similar—your branch will be closed on Good Friday and you will not be able to visit in person or use the ATM inside the building. However, online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs in other locations will still work.
The exact closure depends on your bank's policy. Some smaller regional banks or credit unions may stay open on Good Friday, though this is less common. If you are unsure whether your specific bank closes, call the branch directly or check their website for holiday hours—most banks publish this information weeks in advance.
Good Friday falls on different dates each year because it is tied to the lunar calendar. In 2024 it is March 29; in 2025 it is April 18. Check your bank's holiday schedule for the specific year you need.
Key Takeaways
- Major national banks close their physical branches on Good Friday, though online banking and remote ATMs remain available.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different policies, so contact your institution directly to confirm.
- The Federal Reserve also closes on Good Friday, which affects wire transfers and some settlement processes.
- Plan ahead if you need cash or in-person services—withdraw what you need on Thursday or use an ATM outside your bank's building.
- Good Friday dates change yearly; check your bank's published holiday calendar rather than assuming the date.
What happens to wire transfers and payments on Good Friday
The Federal Reserve closes on Good Friday, which means wire transfers initiated on that day will not process until the following business day. If you send a wire on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, it will sit in the queue until Monday morning. This matters if you are paying a bill with a important date or sending money that needs to arrive by a specific date.
ACH transfers—the system used for direct deposits, bill payments, and transfers between accounts—also pause on Good Friday. A payment you schedule for Good Friday will process on the next business day instead. If Monday is not a holiday in your area, your transfer will go through Monday morning. If your bank or the receiving bank observes an additional holiday on Monday, it will wait until Tuesday.
Credit card payments and checks deposited on Good Friday follow the same rule: they will not clear until the next business day. If you have a payment due on Good Friday itself, make sure it was submitted by Thursday to avoid a late fee.
ATMs and online banking still work on Good Friday
Even though branches are closed, ATMs outside the bank building will function normally on Good Friday. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance at any ATM in your bank's network or at ATMs run by other banks (though you may pay a fee for out-of-network use).
Online banking and mobile apps do not close on holidays. You can log in, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and check transactions at any time on Good Friday. The transactions you initiate will queue up and process when the banking system reopens on the next business day.
If you need to speak to someone at your bank on Good Friday, customer service phone lines are typically closed. However, many banks offer chat support or email support through their apps or websites, and some have 24-hour phone lines for urgent issues like fraud or lost cards.
Planning ahead for Good Friday closures
If you know you will need cash or in-person banking services around Good Friday, withdraw money on Thursday. Most ATMs have daily withdrawal limits—typically $500 to $1,000 depending on your account and bank—so plan accordingly if you need a larger amount.
If you are paying a bill or sending money to someone, submit the payment by Thursday afternoon to may support it processes before the holiday. Many bill payment systems let you schedule payments in advance, so you can set them up days earlier and have them go out automatically on the right date.
If you have a check to deposit, use mobile check deposit through your bank's app on Thursday or Friday. The image will be captured when ready, and the funds will post to your account on the next business day. This is faster and more reliable than waiting until Monday to visit a branch.
Credit unions and smaller banks may have different hours
While most credit unions close on Good Friday, some remain open with reduced hours. A few credit unions, particularly those in areas with large non-Christian populations, may operate normally. The only way to know is to contact your credit union directly or check their website.
Smaller regional banks vary widely. Some close on all federal holidays; others close only on the major ones like Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you bank with a regional or community bank, call ahead to confirm their Good Friday policy rather than assuming they are closed.
Online banks and fintech companies that do not have physical branches—like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Wise—do not have branch closures because they have no branches to close. However, their backend systems still connect to the Federal Reserve, so wire transfers and ACH payments will still delay until the next business day.
What to do if you need banking services on Good Friday
If you have an urgent banking need on Good Friday, your options are limited but not zero. Use an ATM for cash withdrawals or deposits. Log into online banking to transfer money between your own accounts or pay bills (the transaction will process the next day). Call your bank's customer service line—some banks keep a skeleton crew available for emergencies like fraud or lost cards.
If you need to deposit a check and cannot use mobile deposit, wait until Saturday or Monday. Checks deposited on Saturday will not clear until Monday or Tuesday depending on your bank's processing schedule. If the check is time-sensitive, mobile deposit on Friday is your best option.
If you need to send money urgently and cannot wait until Monday, consider a money transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, which may operate on Good Friday. These services charge fees but can move money faster than the banking system. Alternatively, if the recipient is nearby, cash withdrawal and hand delivery is the fastest option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant, ATM, or online retailer on Good Friday. The transaction will process normally. If you are making a purchase, the money will leave your account when ready or within one business day depending on the merchant. Wire transfers and ACH payments initiated on Good Friday will not process until the next business day, but regular debit card transactions are not affected.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Good Friday?
No. Direct deposits scheduled for Good Friday will arrive on the next business day instead. If your employer normally deposits on Friday and Good Friday falls on a Friday, your deposit will arrive on Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is also a holiday). Check with your employer's payroll department if you are unsure of the timing.
Can I get a cashier's check on Good Friday?
No. Cashier's checks are issued by bank employees at the branch, and branches are closed on Good Friday. If you need a cashier's check, request it on Thursday. Some banks can issue them through online banking or mobile apps, but this varies by institution—call your bank to ask.
Do stock markets close on Good Friday?
Yes. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ both close on Good Friday. If you have a brokerage account, you cannot trade stocks on that day. Any trades you place will execute on the next business day when the market reopens on Monday.
What if I have a payment due on Good Friday?
Submit the payment by Thursday to be safe. If the due date is Good Friday itself and you submit on Friday, it may be marked late depending on the creditor's processing schedule. If you are paying a credit card, utility bill, or loan, contact the company directly to ask whether they process payments on Good Friday or if you should submit by Thursday.