Most banks are closed the Friday after Thanksgiving, but some branches and services stay open

The Friday after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday, so banks are not required to close. However, most major banks do close their physical branches on this day as a matter of policy. This means you cannot walk in to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to a teller. What stays open varies by bank and by the type of service you need.

The day is sometimes called the day after Thanksgiving or the Friday after Thanksgiving. It falls on the fourth Friday of November each year. Because many employers give their workers this day off, banks treat it as a holiday for branch operations even though the federal government does not.

If you need to move money on that Friday, your options depend on what your bank offers outside of branch hours. Most banks let you transfer money online, use an ATM, or call customer service. Some banks open a few branches in high-traffic areas. A small number stay fully open.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major bank branches close on the Friday after Thanksgiving, even though it is not a federal holiday.
  • ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps work normally on this day at banks that are closed.
  • Some banks open select branches in busy areas, so calling ahead or checking your bank's website tells you if yours is one of them.
  • Wire transfers, ACH transfers, and bill payments processed online go through normally, but may not settle until the following Monday.
  • Credit unions vary widely — some close, some stay open — so you need to check with your specific credit union.

Which major banks close on the Friday after Thanksgiving

Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, and most regional banks close their branches on this day. If you have an account at one of these institutions, you cannot visit a branch location on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The closure applies to all branch locations nationwide unless your bank has announced otherwise.

Some banks publish a list of branches that will stay open. You can find this on your bank's website under holiday hours or by calling your local branch directly. A few banks open one or two branches in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, but this is uncommon.

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have no physical branches, so the question does not explore to them. Their services run normally because they do not have branch locations to close.

What you can still do on the Friday after Thanksgiving

ATMs work normally. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has mobile deposit or an envelope slot), and check your balance at any ATM your bank operates or partners with. This is the most straightforward way to get cash if you need it.

Online banking and mobile apps work normally. You can transfer money between your own accounts, send money to another person through your bank's app, pay bills, and check your balance. These transactions process when ready in your account, though they may not settle at the receiving bank until Monday.

Phone banking works normally. You can call customer service to ask questions, report a lost card, or request a wire transfer. Customer service lines stay open even when branches close, though wait times may be longer because more people call on days when branches are shut.

Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated online or by phone go through, but they may not arrive at the receiving bank until Monday. The Friday after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday for the banking system itself, so transfers process, but the receiving bank may not post them until the next business day.

Credit unions and smaller banks

Credit unions do not all follow the same policy. Some credit unions close on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and some stay open. You need to check with your specific credit union to know whether it will be open. Call the branch or check the website.

Smaller regional banks vary as well. Some treat the day as a holiday and close all branches. Others stay open. Again, a phone call to your branch is the fastest way to find out.

If you use a credit union or smaller bank and you know you will need branch services on the Friday after Thanksgiving, call ahead or check the website now rather than waiting until that day.

Planning ahead for the Friday after Thanksgiving

If you need cash or need to deposit a check, do it on Thursday or earlier in the week. This removes the risk of being caught without access on Friday. Most people who plan ahead withdraw extra cash on Thursday and deposit checks before the holiday period.

If you need to send money to someone, use your bank's online transfer service on Thursday or Friday. The money will leave your account when ready, even if it does not arrive at the receiving bank until Monday. This is faster and more reliable than waiting for a branch to open.

If you have a time-sensitive banking need — such as disputing a charge or reporting fraud — call customer service on Friday. The phone line is open, and customer service can often resolve the issue without you visiting a branch.

What happens to checks and deposits on the Friday after Thanksgiving

Checks you deposit on the Friday after Thanksgiving do not clear until Monday at the earliest. If you use mobile deposit through your bank's app, the check image is captured on Friday, but the bank does not process it until Monday. The funds will not be available in your account until Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on your bank's policy.

If you deposit a check at an ATM on Friday, the same timeline applies. The ATM accepts the deposit, but processing happens on Monday.

Checks you write on Friday are not affected. They clear normally when the recipient deposits them, regardless of when you wrote them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

Yes. Your debit card works normally at stores, restaurants, and ATMs. The bank closure only affects physical branch locations, not card processing or ATM access.

Will my direct deposit go through on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

Direct deposits scheduled for the Friday after Thanksgiving may be delayed. Some employers process payroll on Thursday instead. Check with your employer or your bank to confirm when your deposit will arrive. If your employer processes on Friday, the deposit may not show in your account until Monday.

Can I get a cashier's check on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

No, not at a closed branch. Cashier's checks are issued by tellers at branch locations. If you need a cashier's check, get it on Thursday or earlier. Some banks can issue them by phone or mail, so call customer service to ask if yours offers this option.

What if I have an emergency and need to access my money?

Use an ATM to withdraw cash or call customer service for help. If you need to transfer money urgently, use your bank's online or mobile app. For serious emergencies, customer service can sometimes arrange a wire transfer or other solution over the phone.

Do I need to plan differently if I bank with a credit union?

Yes. Credit unions do not all follow the same holiday schedule as major banks. Some close on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and some stay open. Call your credit union or check its website to find out its specific hours for that day.