Most banks are closed on December 26th if Christmas falls on a weekday

The day after Christmas is a federal holiday in the United States, which means most banks observe it as a closure day. If Christmas is on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, your bank will almost certainly be closed on December 26th. If Christmas falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal holiday shifts to the following Monday, so banks close that Monday instead.

Some banks do open limited branches on the day after Christmas, but this is rare and depends entirely on the individual bank's policy. Your best approach is to check your specific bank's website or call their customer service line before you need to visit — do not assume based on what another bank does.

ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7 regardless of bank closures, so you can withdraw cash, transfer money, or check balances without waiting for a branch to reopen.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal banks close on December 26th when Christmas falls on a weekday, and on the following Monday when Christmas falls on a weekend.
  • A small number of banks operate limited hours or skeleton staffing on the day after Christmas, but you cannot count on this without confirming with your bank first.
  • ATMs work around the clock during bank closures, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance at any time.
  • Online banking, mobile apps, and phone banking remain available even when physical branches are closed.
  • If you need to deposit a check or conduct business that requires a teller, plan to do it before Christmas or wait until the branch reopens.

How to find your bank's specific closure schedule

The safest way to know whether your branch will be open is to visit your bank's website and look for a holiday hours section or branch locator tool. Most major banks publish their December holiday schedule in early November. You can also call the branch directly or use their mobile app, which often displays current hours for your nearest location.

If you bank with a credit union instead of a traditional bank, check their website separately — credit unions sometimes follow different holiday schedules than banks, and some remain open on days when banks close.

What you can and cannot do during a bank closure

During a closure, you can withdraw cash from any ATM that accepts your card, transfer money between your own accounts through online banking or your mobile app, and pay bills online. You can also check your balance, deposit checks using mobile check deposit (if your bank offers it), and contact customer service by phone if they maintain a holiday line.

You cannot visit a teller, deposit cash in person, open a new account, explore for a loan, or resolve disputes that require speaking to a banker. If you need any of these services, you will have to wait until the branch reopens or visit a different bank's ATM network if you need cash urgently.

Planning ahead for time-sensitive transactions

If you know you will need to deposit a check, withdraw a large amount of cash, or conduct business with a teller, do it on December 24th or 25th if your bank is open those days. Many banks stay open on Christmas Eve until mid-afternoon, though hours are often shorter than normal.

For checks deposited after the branch closes, the deposit will not post to your account until the bank reopens. If you use mobile check deposit, the check image is captured when ready, but the funds may not be available until the next business day after the branch processes it.

Wire transfers and ACH payments during the closure

Wire transfers initiated through online banking or phone banking before the closure important date will usually process on the day you submit them, even if the bank is closed. However, if you initiate a wire after the cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m. on December 24th), it will not send until the bank reopens on December 27th.

ACH transfers (like bill payments or transfers to other banks) follow a similar pattern — they are scheduled for the next business day, so anything you set up on December 24th will process on December 27th. If you need money to reach someone by a specific date, account for the extra day the closure adds.

What happens if you need cash over the holiday

Withdraw what you need before December 24th. ATMs are available around the clock, but if your card is lost, stolen, or compromised during the closure, you will not be able to get a replacement until the bank reopens. If you use a bank that is part of a larger ATM network (like Allpoint or MoneyPass), you can withdraw from any ATM in that network, though you may pay a fee if you use an out-of-network machine.

If you run out of cash and cannot reach an ATM that accepts your card, some retailers will let you withdraw cash back when you make a purchase with your debit card, though this is not may provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bank be open on December 26th this year?

That depends on what day Christmas falls on and your specific bank's policy. If Christmas is a weekday, most banks close December 26th. Check your bank's website or call the branch directly to confirm — a few banks do open limited hours on the day after Christmas, but this is not standard.

Can I deposit a check if the bank is closed?

If your bank offers mobile check deposit through its app, you can photograph and submit the check anytime. The image is captured when ready, but the funds will not be available until the bank reopens and processes it, usually the next business day. If you cannot use mobile deposit, you will have to wait until the branch reopens.

What if I need to wire money on December 26th?

You cannot initiate a wire on a day the bank is closed. If you need to send money urgently, do it before the closure. Some online payment services like PayPal or Wise operate independently of bank holidays and may offer faster alternatives, though they charge fees.

Will my ATM card work on December 26th?

Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 regardless of bank closures. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using any ATM that accepts your card, even if the branch is closed.

Do credit unions follow the same holiday schedule as banks?

Most credit unions close on the same federal holidays as banks, but some stay open or operate limited hours. Check your credit union's website or call ahead — do not assume they follow the same schedule as a traditional bank.