Most banks close on Thanksgiving Day itself, then reopen the next day

Banks treat Thanksgiving as a federal holiday, so nearly all branches close on Thanksgiving Day. This means you cannot visit a branch, use the ATM inside the building, or speak to a teller on that day. However, most banks reopen the day after Thanksgiving (the Friday) at their normal hours — usually 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., depending on the branch.

The exact hours depend on your bank. Some branches open at 9 a.m., others at 10 a.m. A few may open later or close earlier than usual on the Friday after Thanksgiving, though this is less common. The best way to know your branch's specific hours is to check your bank's website, call the branch directly, or look at your bank's app — most show holiday hours a week or two in advance.

ATMs and online banking work on Thanksgiving Day itself. You can withdraw cash from an ATM, transfer money online, pay bills through your bank's website or app, and deposit checks using mobile deposit. These services do not stop for the holiday — only the physical branches and phone lines to customer service do.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank branches close on Thanksgiving Day but reopen the next day (Friday) at normal hours, usually 9 a.m. or 10 a.m.
  • ATMs and online banking work on Thanksgiving Day, so you can withdraw cash, transfer money, and pay bills without visiting a branch.
  • Check your bank's website, app, or call your branch directly to confirm Friday's hours, as some locations may have adjusted schedules.
  • If you need cash or services before Thanksgiving, plan ahead because the branch will be closed on Thursday.

What you can and cannot do on Thanksgiving Day

On Thanksgiving Day itself, you cannot walk into a branch, speak to a teller, or reach customer service by phone. If you have a question that requires talking to someone at the bank, you will need to wait until Friday or later.

What you can do: use any ATM (whether it belongs to your bank or another bank), log into your online banking account, use your bank's mobile app, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills online, deposit checks through mobile deposit, and use your debit card to make purchases. These services run 24/7 and do not stop for holidays.

If you need cash and do not have an ATM card, or if your ATM card is lost or frozen, Thanksgiving Day will be a problem. Plan ahead and withdraw what you need on Wednesday or earlier.

The Friday after Thanksgiving: normal hours or adjusted?

Most banks reopen on Friday at their regular weekday hours. However, some branches reduce their hours on the day after Thanksgiving — for example, opening at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m., or closing at 4 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. A small number of branches stay closed on Friday as well, though this is rare.

Your bank's website usually shows holiday hours under a "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Hours" section. If you cannot find it online, call your branch directly. Staff can tell you whether Friday's hours are normal or adjusted. If you are planning to do something that requires a teller — depositing a large check, opening a new account, or getting a cashier's check — confirm Friday's hours before you assume the branch will be open.

Planning ahead for the Thanksgiving week

If you need to handle banking business before or after Thanksgiving, do it early in the week. Wednesday is safer than Thursday morning, because Wednesday gives you a full business day if something goes wrong. If you need a cashier's check, a new account opened, or a loan decision, do not wait until Wednesday afternoon — those take time, and the branch will be closed Thursday.

If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, bring extra cash. ATMs are widely available, but if your card is lost or your account is frozen, you will have no way to get cash on Thanksgiving Day itself. Carry more than you think you need.

If you have automatic bill payments or transfers set up, they will process normally on Thanksgiving Day. The holiday does not stop automated transactions. However, if you need to stop or change a payment, you should do that before Wednesday, because you cannot reach customer service on Thursday.

What happens if you need help on Thanksgiving

If something goes wrong — your card is declined, your account is locked, or you notice fraud — you have limited options on Thanksgiving Day. Most banks have a 24-hour fraud line that you can call even when branches are closed. The number is usually on the back of your debit card or credit card.

If your issue is not fraud-related, you will likely have to wait until Friday. This is another reason to plan ahead: if you suspect a problem with your account, call your bank on Wednesday or earlier to sort it out before the holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Thanksgiving Day?

Yes. Your debit card works at stores, restaurants, and ATMs on Thanksgiving Day. The bank branch is closed, but the payment network is not. You can also use your card to make online purchases or pay bills through your bank's website or app.

Will my direct deposit or automatic payment go through on Thanksgiving?

Yes. Automated transactions like direct deposit, bill payments, and transfers process on Thanksgiving Day just as they do on any other day. The holiday does not delay these transactions.

What if I need to deposit a check on Thanksgiving?

If your bank offers mobile deposit (taking a photo of the check through the app), you can deposit it on Thanksgiving Day. If you need to deposit it in person at a branch, you will have to wait until Friday. Check your bank's app to see if mobile deposit is available.

Are credit unions open on Thanksgiving?

Most credit unions close on Thanksgiving Day, just like banks. However, some credit unions have different holiday schedules. Call your credit union or check its website to confirm. The day after Thanksgiving, most reopen at normal hours.

What if my bank branch has different hours than I expected?

Call the branch directly or check your bank's website for the specific location. Some branches in busy areas stay open longer, and some in smaller towns close earlier. Your bank's app usually shows hours for each branch near you.