Yes, most banks close on Presidents Day

Presidents Day is a federal holiday, and most banks observe it by closing their physical branches. This means you cannot walk into a branch, speak to a teller, or use the safe deposit box on that day. The holiday falls on the third Monday in February each year.

However, "closed" does not mean your money is frozen. ATMs stay open, online banking works normally, and transfers between your own accounts continue to process. The closure affects only in-person services and the speed of certain transactions that require human review.

Some banks—particularly credit unions and smaller regional institutions—may have different holiday schedules. A few stay open on Presidents Day while closing on other federal holidays instead. Check your specific bank's website or call ahead if you are unsure.

Key Takeaways

  • Physical bank branches close on Presidents Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
  • Deposits made at an ATM or through mobile banking on Presidents Day will post the next business day, not when ready.
  • Wire transfers and checks processed on Presidents Day may not clear until the day after the holiday.
  • Some credit unions and regional banks do not observe Presidents Day, so contact your institution directly if you need in-person service.

What stays open on Presidents Day

ATMs operate 24/7 on Presidents Day just as they do any other day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at the ATM without interruption. Mobile banking apps and online banking portals also work normally—you can transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and view transactions whenever you want.

Debit cards and credit cards continue to work at merchants and other ATMs. The holiday does not affect your ability to spend money or access your own funds through electronic channels.

How Presidents Day affects deposits and transfers

If you deposit a check at an ATM on Presidents Day, the bank will not process it until the next business day (Tuesday). The same applies to mobile check deposits—you can take the photo and submit it through the app, but the bank's processing team does not work on the holiday. The check will enter the queue on Tuesday morning.

Wire transfers initiated on Presidents Day may also be delayed. If you send a wire on Monday, it typically will not leave your bank until Tuesday. Some banks process wires submitted before a certain cutoff time on the last business day before the holiday, so if you need a wire to move urgently, send it on Friday instead.

Transfers between accounts at the same bank usually post by the next business day regardless of the holiday, because they are automated. But transfers between different banks (ACH transfers) may take an extra day if initiated on Presidents Day.

When to expect posted transactions after the holiday

Any deposit or transfer you initiate on Presidents Day enters the processing queue on Tuesday. Most banks then process these transactions on a first-in, first-out basis, so your transaction may not post until Wednesday or later depending on volume.

Checks deposited at a branch on Friday will post normally on Monday (Presidents Day is not a banking day, so the clock does not start). Checks deposited on Presidents Day itself will post on Wednesday at the earliest.

If you are waiting for a deposit to clear before a bill payment is due, do not cut it close around Presidents Day. Initiate deposits and transfers by Friday if the money needs to be available by Tuesday.

Which banks stay open on Presidents Day

Most national banks—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others—close all branches on Presidents Day. However, some credit unions and community banks remain open. This varies by institution and sometimes by individual branch.

The best way to know is to search your bank's name plus "Presidents Day hours" or call the branch directly. Many banks post holiday schedules on their websites weeks in advance. If you need in-person service on Presidents Day, call ahead rather than showing up to find the doors locked.

Planning around Presidents Day closures

If you need to deposit a check, make a large cash withdrawal, or access your safe deposit box, do it on Friday. Do not wait until Monday morning if the transaction is time-sensitive.

If you are expecting a deposit to arrive by a certain date, assume it will take one extra day if it crosses Presidents Day. A check that would normally post in two business days might take three if one of those days is the holiday.

For bill payments, set them up at least two business days before they are due if the due date falls on or just after Presidents Day. This gives the payment time to clear even if processing is delayed by the holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM on Presidents Day. The bank branch is closed, but the payment networks and ATM systems operate normally. You can spend money and withdraw cash without any interruption.

Will my direct deposit post on Presidents Day?

No. Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day will post on Tuesday instead. If your paycheck is set to deposit on the third Monday of February, it will arrive the next business day. Check with your employer or payroll provider if you are unsure which date your deposit is scheduled for.

What if I need to speak to someone at the bank on Presidents Day?

Call the bank's customer service line. Most banks operate phone support on federal holidays, even when branches are closed. You can resolve many issues over the phone without visiting a branch. For issues that require in-person service, you will need to wait until Tuesday.

Do online bill payments process on Presidents Day?

You can schedule a bill payment through online banking on Presidents Day, but it will not process until Tuesday. If you set a payment to go out when ready on Monday, the bank will hold it and send it the next business day. Plan ahead if a bill is due on or shortly after the holiday.

Are wire transfers available on Presidents Day?

You can initiate a wire transfer request on Presidents Day through online banking or by phone, but the bank will not actually send the wire until Tuesday. If you need money to move urgently, send the wire on Friday instead. Some banks have cutoff times on Friday for same-day processing, so call ahead if timing is critical.