Yes, most banks close on Memorial Day
Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May each year. On that day, most banks in the United States close their physical branches and do not process transactions. This is a federal holiday, which means banks observe it the same way they observe Independence Day or Thanksgiving.
The closure affects in-person banking — you cannot walk into a branch or speak to a teller. However, you can still use ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps to check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up bill payments. These digital services run 24/7 even when branches are closed.
If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on Memorial Day itself, you will need to use an ATM or wait until the branch reopens the next day. Some banks open on Tuesday morning at their normal time; others may have adjusted hours, so it is worth checking your bank's website or calling ahead if you have an urgent need.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Memorial Day, but ATMs and online banking stay available around the clock.
- Checks deposited through a mobile app or ATM on Memorial Day will process the next business day, not when ready.
- Wire transfers and bill payments set up online may not go through until Tuesday if you schedule them for Memorial Day.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks sometimes have different holiday schedules, so check with your institution directly.
What you can and cannot do on Memorial Day
ATMs work normally on Memorial Day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks through a mobile deposit feature (if your bank offers it), and check your balance. Depositing a physical check into an ATM envelope will be processed, but the funds may not appear in your account until the next business day because no staff are present to verify the deposit.
Online and mobile banking platforms stay open. You can log in, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and set up future transactions. The key word is "set up" — if you schedule a bill payment for Memorial Day itself, it will not leave your account until Tuesday. If you need money to move today, transfer it between your own accounts instead, which happens when ready.
Services that require a person — depositing cash at a teller window, getting a cashier's check, opening a new account, or speaking to a loan officer — are not available. If you need any of these, plan ahead or wait until Tuesday.
Wire transfers and time-sensitive payments
Wire transfers initiated on Memorial Day will not go through until the next business day. Banks do not process wires on federal holidays because the Federal Reserve, which clears these transactions, is also closed. If you need to send money urgently, send it the day before or the day after the holiday instead.
The same applies to ACH transfers (the system used for most bill payments and direct deposits). If you schedule an ACH payment for Memorial Day, it will process on Tuesday. If you need the payment to reach someone on Monday, you must initiate it on Friday or earlier.
Different rules for different banks
Most national banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — close all branches on Memorial Day. However, some credit unions, community banks, and online-only banks may have different policies. A few credit unions stay open on certain federal holidays, though this is uncommon.
The safest approach is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly before Memorial Day if you think you might need in-person service. Many banks post their holiday hours online a month in advance. You can also look at your bank's app, which often displays branch hours and whether a location is open today.
Planning ahead for Memorial Day weekend
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check over the Memorial Day weekend, do it on Friday or earlier. Withdraw extra cash on Friday if you think you will need it Monday. Deposit checks through your mobile app on Friday so they process by Monday evening.
If you are paying a bill that is due on or around Memorial Day, submit the payment by Friday. Most bill payments take one to three business days to process anyway, so paying early gives you a safety margin. If you are expecting a direct deposit on Monday, it will arrive on schedule because employers and the government submit these before the holiday.
What happens if you need emergency cash
ATMs are your only option on Memorial Day itself. If your bank's ATM is out of service or you have hit your daily withdrawal limit, you may be able to use an ATM from another bank, though you will likely pay a fee ($2 to $3 is typical). Some banks reimburse out-of-network ATM fees; check your account terms.
If you absolutely cannot wait until Tuesday and have no ATM access, a convenience store or grocery store may let you withdraw cash back when you make a purchase using your debit card. This is sometimes called a "cash advance" and does not cost extra, though you are limited to the amount of your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit on Memorial Day if it is direct deposit?
Yes. Direct deposits are submitted by employers before the holiday and process on schedule, even if the bank is closed. You will see the money in your account on the normal day, usually Monday morning or Tuesday morning depending on your employer's schedule.
Can I use my debit card on Memorial Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at stores, gas pumps, and online merchants on Memorial Day because those transactions do not require the bank branch to be open. Your bank processes them in the background after the holiday ends.
What if I need a cashier's check on Memorial Day?
You cannot get one. Cashier's checks require a teller to issue, and branches are closed. If you need one urgently, visit the branch on Friday or Tuesday instead. Some banks can mail them, but that takes several days.
Do credit card payments process on Memorial Day?
If you pay online or through an app, the payment is recorded when ready, but it may not post to your account until Tuesday. This does not affect your due date — payments submitted before the important date count as on-time even if they post after the holiday.
Are online banks closed on Memorial Day?
No. Banks that operate only online (like Ally or Charles Schwab Bank) do not have branches, so there is nothing to close. You can use their apps and websites normally. However, customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be closed.