Most banks are closed on December 26 if Christmas falls on a weekday, but the rules depend on which day Christmas lands on and whether your bank observes it as a holiday
Banks in the United States follow a federal holiday calendar. Christmas Day itself (December 25) is always a federal holiday, which means most banks close. The day after Christmas — December 26 — is not a federal holiday, so banks are normally open on that date.
However, some individual banks choose to close on December 26 anyway, especially if Christmas falls on a Thursday or Friday. When Christmas is on a Thursday, some banks close Friday the 26th as an extra holiday. When Christmas is on a Friday, some banks close Monday the 28th instead. This varies by bank and by region, so you cannot assume your branch will be open without checking first.
The safest approach is to call your bank's customer service line or check their website for their specific holiday schedule. Most banks publish this schedule in October or November for the entire year.
Key Takeaways
- December 26 is not a federal holiday, so most banks operate on their normal schedule that day.
- Some banks close on December 26 as a courtesy holiday, particularly when Christmas falls on Thursday or Friday.
- Your bank's holiday schedule is published on their website or available by calling customer service.
- If you need banking services between Christmas and New Year's, plan ahead by visiting your branch before December 25 or using ATMs and online banking.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different holiday schedules than large national banks.
How to find your bank's December 26 hours
The fastest way is to search "[Your Bank Name] holiday hours" online. Most major banks — Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — post their full holiday schedule on their website by early November. Look for a link labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Locator" where you can enter your zip code and see your specific branch's schedule.
If you cannot find it online, call your branch directly or use the bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card. A representative can tell you whether your location is open on December 26 and what hours they operate. This takes less than five minutes and removes the guesswork.
What happens if your bank is closed on December 26
You can still access your money through ATMs, which operate 24 hours a day regardless of bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using an ATM.
Online banking also works on holidays. You can pay bills, transfer money to other people, deposit checks using mobile check deposit, and review your account from your phone or computer. These transactions process normally; they straightforward do not show as complete until the next business day.
If you need to speak to someone or handle something that requires a teller — like opening a new account, getting a cashier's check, or resolving a fraud issue — you will need to wait until your branch reopens. Plan ahead if you know you will need this kind of service between Christmas and New Year's.
When Christmas falls on different days of the week
The federal government observes Christmas on December 25 every year, regardless of what day of the week it is. Banks close on that date. What changes is whether they also close the day after.
When Christmas is on a weekday (Monday through Friday), most large national banks stay open on December 26. When Christmas is on a weekend, the federal holiday shifts: if Christmas is on Saturday, the holiday is observed on Friday the 24th; if Christmas is on Sunday, it is observed on Monday the 26th. In that second case, banks will be closed on Monday the 26th because that is when the federal holiday is observed.
Smaller banks and credit unions are more likely to take extra days off around Christmas. Some close the entire week between Christmas and New Year's. Again, checking your specific institution's schedule is the only way to be certain.
Planning ahead for the holiday week
If you know you will need cash or banking services between December 24 and January 2, withdraw what you need before December 24. This is especially important if you use a smaller bank or credit union, which may have limited ATM networks.
If you need to deposit a check, use mobile check deposit through your bank's app if you have it. Most banks process mobile deposits within one business day, even if you submit them on a holiday. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, deposit the check at an ATM if your bank has that feature, or wait until your branch reopens.
For bill payments, set them up online at least two business days before the due date. Online payments take one to three business days to process, so a payment submitted on December 26 might not reach the recipient until December 29 or later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on December 26 if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM and at any store, regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The transaction processes through the bank's systems even when the physical branch is closed.
Will my direct deposit go through on December 26?
If December 26 is a regular business day (not a federal holiday), your direct deposit should arrive as scheduled. If your bank observes December 26 as a holiday, deposits may be delayed by one day. Check your bank's holiday schedule to know for certain.
What if I need a cashier's check before New Year's?
Cashier's checks require a teller, so you cannot get one from an ATM. If your branch is closed on December 26, you will need to visit before December 25 or wait until your branch reopens. Some banks offer cashier's checks through their mobile app, so check whether yours does.
Do credit unions have the same holiday schedule as banks?
Credit unions set their own holiday schedules and are not required to follow the federal calendar. Some credit unions close on December 26; others stay open. Contact your credit union directly to confirm their hours.
What if I need to report fraud on December 26?
Call your bank's fraud hotline, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The number is on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. You do not need to wait for a branch to reopen to report unauthorized transactions.