Most banks close on federal holidays, but not all of them, and the ones that stay open have limited hours
Yes, banks close on federal holidays — but which ones depends on which holiday it is and which bank you use. The Federal Reserve observes ten holidays a year, and most banks follow that same list. On those days, branches shut entirely and you cannot withdraw cash, deposit checks, or speak to a teller. However, ATMs stay on, and some banks keep a skeleton crew working behind the scenes for wire transfers and other critical operations.
The ten federal holidays that typically close banks are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving. Christmas also closes banks. Some banks add one or two additional days — often the day after Thanksgiving or the day after Christmas — but this varies by institution.
The catch: not every bank observes every holiday the same way. A few banks stay open on Columbus Day or Veterans Day. Some credit unions have different schedules. And if a holiday falls on a weekend, the closure usually shifts to the nearest weekday — typically the Friday before or the Monday after.
Key Takeaways
- Federal holidays close most bank branches entirely, but ATMs remain available for withdrawals and deposits.
- The ten main federal holidays that close banks are New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving, plus Christmas.
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, the bank closure usually moves to Friday or Monday, depending on the bank's policy.
- Some banks stay open on certain holidays like Columbus Day or Veterans Day, so checking your specific bank's calendar before the day matters.
- Wire transfers and other back-office operations may continue on holidays even though branches are closed.
How to find your bank's holiday schedule
Your bank publishes its holiday hours on its website, usually under "Hours" or "Locations." Search for your bank's name plus "holiday hours" or go directly to the branch locator tool and select your branch — most show the full year's schedule. Call the branch directly if you cannot find it online; staff can tell you whether they are closed on a specific day.
Credit unions often have different schedules from national banks. If you bank with a credit union, check its website or call — do not assume it follows the same calendar as Bank of America or Chase. Some credit unions close on holidays that banks stay open for, and vice versa.
What you can and cannot do on a bank holiday
You cannot visit a branch, speak to a teller, or access a safe deposit box. You also cannot process a loan process, dispute a transaction in person, or get a cashier's check. Any service that requires a person or a physical location is unavailable.
ATMs work normally on holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. Mobile banking apps and online banking also work — you can pay bills, send money, and check transactions from your phone or computer.
Wire transfers are trickier. If you initiate a wire transfer on a holiday, it usually does not process until the next business day. Some banks have a cutoff time — often 2 p.m. — before which a wire sent on a business day will go out the same day. On a holiday, that cutoff does not explore because the bank is not processing wires at all.
When a holiday falls on a weekend
If a federal holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the Federal Reserve observes it on the nearest weekday. Usually that means Friday if the holiday is on Saturday, or Monday if the holiday is on Sunday. Your bank will be closed on that observed day, not on the actual calendar date.
For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday, July 3. If Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November) falls on a Thursday, banks close that Thursday — but if it somehow fell on a weekend (which it does not, by design), the closure would shift.
Check your bank's website a few days before a holiday that lands on a weekend, because some banks observe on Friday and others on Monday. The difference matters if you need cash or need to deposit a check.
Banks that stay open on some holidays
A small number of banks stay open on Columbus Day or Veterans Day. These are exceptions, not the rule. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and most major national banks close on all ten federal holidays plus Christmas. Smaller regional banks and credit unions are more likely to have variations.
If you know you will need banking services on a day that might be a holiday, call your branch or check online the week before. Do not wait until the morning of — by then it is too late to plan an alternative.
Planning ahead for holiday closures
If you need cash, deposit a check, or send a wire transfer around a holiday, do it the business day before. Most banks process transactions submitted before their cutoff time on the day before a holiday, and the money moves on that same day or the next business day.
Checks deposited at an ATM on a holiday are timestamped with the holiday date, but they do not clear until the next business day anyway. Depositing on the holiday itself versus the day before makes no practical difference for check clearing — the hold period is the same.
If you are expecting a direct deposit or a payment from someone else, remember that payroll and bill payments sent on a holiday do not process until the next business day. If payday falls on a holiday, your employer usually sends the deposit the day before or the day after, depending on their payroll system.
State holidays and bank closures
Banks do not close for state holidays. If your state observes a holiday that the federal government does not — like Cesar Chavez Day in California or Juneteenth before it became federal (now it is) — your bank stays open. The only exceptions are banks headquartered in a state that observes an unusual holiday; even then, most stay open because they operate nationally.
The Federal Reserve's calendar is what matters. If it is not on that list, your bank is open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks if your machine has a deposit slot, and transfer money between your accounts. The only limitation is that deposits and transfers may not post until the next business day.
Will my direct deposit come through on a bank holiday?
No. Direct deposits do not process on federal holidays. If payday falls on a holiday, your employer typically sends the deposit the day before or the day after. Check with your payroll department if you are unsure which day your deposit will arrive.
What happens if I try to send a wire transfer on a bank holiday?
The wire will not process until the next business day. If you submit it online, it may sit in a queue. Call your bank before a holiday if you need a wire to go out on a specific date — they can tell you the last time to submit it before the holiday.
Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?
Most do, but not all. Credit unions follow their own schedules. Check your credit union's website or call before assuming it is closed on a specific holiday.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, which day is the bank closed?
Usually the Friday before if the holiday is on Saturday, or the Monday after if the holiday is on Sunday. Confirm with your bank a few days ahead, because some institutions observe differently.