Yes, most banks close on Friday after Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving — the Friday that follows the fourth Thursday in November — is a federal holiday in the United States called Thanksgiving Day (the observed day). Most banks, including national banks and credit unions, close on this day. The Federal Reserve does not process payments, which means wire transfers, ACH transfers, and check clearing all stop.

If you need cash or have to deposit a check, you will have to wait until Saturday or Monday depending on your bank's weekend hours. Some banks open on Saturday mornings, but many do not. Monday is the first full business day after the holiday.

The closure affects more than just branch visits. Any payment you send on Friday will not leave your account until Monday at the earliest. If you are counting on a deposit to clear by a certain date, it will be delayed by at least one business day.

Key Takeaways

  • Most banks close entirely on the Friday after Thanksgiving because it is a federal holiday.
  • Wire transfers, ACH transfers, and check deposits will not process on Friday and will not move until Monday.
  • Some banks open on Saturday morning, but you should check your bank's specific hours before you rely on weekend access.
  • If you need cash before Friday, withdraw it on Thursday or earlier in the week.

Which banks are actually closed and which stay open

All national banks are closed on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This includes Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and regional banks that observe federal holidays. Credit unions also close, though a small number of online-only banks and some credit unions may keep limited services running.

The closure is mandatory for banks that are members of the Federal Reserve system, because the Fed itself does not operate on federal holidays. Without Fed operations, banks cannot clear checks, process wire transfers, or settle ACH payments — so most choose to close entirely rather than staff a branch with no way to move money.

A few exceptions exist: some banks operate limited Saturday hours, and a handful of online banks may allow you to initiate transfers on Friday that will process Monday. Call your bank directly or check their website to confirm their Friday schedule. Do not assume they are open.

What happens to payments you send on Friday

Any payment you initiate on Friday after Thanksgiving will sit in a queue until Monday morning. This is true for wire transfers, ACH transfers (including bill payments), check deposits, and transfers between accounts at different banks.

If you send a wire transfer on Friday, the receiving bank will not see the money until Monday. If you deposit a check on Friday using a mobile app or ATM, it will not clear until Monday or Tuesday. If you pay a bill through your bank's bill-pay system on Friday, the payment will not leave your account until Monday.

The only exception is if you use a third-party payment service like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash. These services may show the transfer as complete on Friday, but the actual movement of money from your bank account happens on Monday. The delay is invisible to you, but it is still there.

ATMs and mobile banking still work on Friday

You can withdraw cash from an ATM on Friday after Thanksgiving, and you can use your bank's mobile app to check your balance, move money between your own accounts, or set up payments. The ATM network operates 24/7 regardless of bank holidays.

What you cannot do is initiate a payment that involves another bank or institution. Transfers to accounts at other banks, bill payments, and check deposits will not process until Monday. Payments between accounts you own at the same bank may process when ready or may wait until Monday, depending on the bank.

If you need cash and your bank is closed, use any ATM in your bank's network or a network your bank participates in (like Allpoint or MoneyPass). You will not be charged an extra fee for using an ATM on a holiday, though you may be charged if you use an out-of-network ATM.

Plan ahead if you have bills due on or around Friday

If a bill is due on Friday after Thanksgiving or on the following Monday, send the payment by Wednesday at the latest. This gives the payment time to clear before the due date, even accounting for the holiday delay.

Many billers (credit card companies, utilities, loan servicers) build a grace period into their systems for federal holidays. A payment sent on Friday may not be received until Tuesday, but it will usually not be marked late if the due date was Friday or Monday. Call your biller if you are unsure about their holiday policy.

For automatic bill payments set up through your bank, the payment will process on the scheduled date even if that date is Friday. The money will leave your account on Friday, but it will not reach the biller until Monday. This is normal and should not cause a late fee.

What to do if you need money on Friday

Withdraw cash on Thursday or earlier in the week. This is the simplest solution and avoids any timing issues. Take out enough to cover the weekend and the following Monday if you think you might need it.

If you did not plan ahead and need cash on Friday, use an ATM. Every bank's ATM network operates on holidays. If you do not have a card or your card is not working, you will have to wait until Saturday or Monday when a branch reopens.

If you need to deposit a check and cannot wait until Monday, some banks offer Saturday hours. Check your bank's website or call the branch directly to confirm. If your bank does not open on Saturday, the check will not clear until Tuesday at the earliest.

How the Friday after Thanksgiving differs from other holidays

The Friday after Thanksgiving is treated the same as Christmas, New Year's Day, and Independence Day — it is a federal holiday and banks close. However, it is one of the few federal holidays that falls on a weekday and is widely observed by all banks without exception.

Some federal holidays fall on weekends (like Independence Day in 2026), and banks observe them on the nearest weekday instead. The Friday after Thanksgiving always falls on a Friday, so there is no confusion about which day banks close.

The day is sometimes called "Black Friday" in retail contexts, but that is a separate thing. Banks close because of the federal holiday, not because of shopping events. The closure is the same whether or not you plan to shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card or credit card on Friday after Thanksgiving?

Yes. Your card works at stores, restaurants, and online retailers regardless of whether your bank is open. The transaction will process normally. The only thing that does not work is moving money between bank accounts or depositing checks.

Will my direct deposit arrive on Friday if it is scheduled for that day?

No. Direct deposits scheduled for Friday after Thanksgiving will arrive on Monday instead. If your paycheck is due on Friday, ask your employer if they can move the deposit to Thursday. Some employers will do this automatically around holidays.

What if I need to dispute a charge on Friday?

Call your bank's customer service line. Most banks staff their phone lines on federal holidays, even if branches are closed. You can report fraud or dispute a charge, and the bank will document it. The investigation will begin on Monday.

Do online banks close on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. However, they still cannot process wire transfers, ACH payments, or check clearing on Friday because the Federal Reserve is closed. Transfers you initiate on Friday will not move until Monday.

Can I get a cashier's check on Friday?

No. Cashier's checks are issued by banks, and banks are closed on Friday after Thanksgiving. You would need to get one on Thursday or wait until Monday. If you need a cashier's check urgently, plan ahead.