Most banks close on Columbus Day, but some branches and online services stay available

Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means most traditional bank branches will be closed. However, the picture is more complicated than a straightforward yes or no. Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all observe Columbus Day as a holiday and close their physical locations. Credit unions typically close as well. But you can still move money on Columbus Day through ATMs, mobile apps, and online banking — those services run 24/7 regardless of the holiday.

Some smaller regional banks and community banks stay open on Columbus Day because they are not required to follow federal holiday schedules. A few banks in certain states do not recognize Columbus Day at all (some states call it Indigenous Peoples' Day instead). The safest approach is to call your specific branch the day before or check your bank's website, because policies vary by location and institution.

Key Takeaways

  • Major national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) close all branches on Columbus Day, but ATMs and online banking work normally.
  • Credit unions typically close on Columbus Day, though some smaller or regional institutions may stay open.
  • You can deposit checks, transfer money, and pay bills through your bank's app or website on the holiday without waiting.
  • Call your branch directly or check your bank's website the day before to confirm whether your specific location is open.
  • If you need cash, ATMs are available 24 hours even when branches are closed.

What you can and cannot do on Columbus Day

On Columbus Day, you cannot walk into a branch and speak to a teller at any major bank. You also cannot deposit a physical check at a branch or get a cashier's check in person. If you need to dispute a transaction or resolve an account issue that requires a human conversation, you will have to wait until the next business day.

What you can do: withdraw cash from any ATM, transfer money between your own accounts, send money to another person through your bank's app, pay bills online, deposit checks through mobile check deposit (if your bank offers it), and check your balance. These functions do not stop because the branch is closed. If your bank offers a customer service phone line, some banks staff it on holidays and some do not — this varies by institution.

Which banks definitely close on Columbus Day

These major banks close all branches on Columbus Day: Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank, PNC Bank, Capital One, and TD Bank. Most credit unions close as well, including large ones like Navy Federal Credit Union and Pentagon Federal Credit Union. If you bank with any of these institutions, assume your branch is closed unless you have specific information otherwise.

The Federal Reserve also closes on Columbus Day, which affects wire transfers and some clearing operations. If you are sending a wire transfer on Columbus Day, it will process the next business day, not when ready.

Banks and regions that may be open

Some community banks and smaller regional institutions do not observe Columbus Day. Banks in Hawaii and Alaska sometimes have different holiday schedules because those states do not recognize Columbus Day as a paid holiday. South Dakota, Vermont, and a few other states call the day something else (Indigenous Peoples' Day, for example) and may not require banks to close.

If you bank with a local or regional bank, contact them directly. Do not assume they are closed just because it is a federal holiday. Some banks post their holiday schedule on their website or in their app, so check there first before calling.

How to handle banking needs on Columbus Day

If you need to deposit a check, use your bank's mobile app if it has mobile check deposit. Take a photo of the front and back of the check, submit it through the app, and the funds will be available within one to two business days (sometimes the next day, depending on your bank). This works on any day, including holidays.

If you need cash, find an ATM. Your bank's ATMs are free to use, and you can withdraw money at any time. If you need to use an out-of-network ATM, you may pay a fee (usually $2 to $3), but the transaction will still go through.

If you need to send money to someone else, use your bank's online transfer service or a money transfer app like Venmo, PayPal, or your bank's peer-to-peer payment system. These work on holidays. If you need to pay a bill, log into your online banking and schedule the payment for Columbus Day itself or for the next business day — most banks let you schedule payments in advance.

What to do if you have an urgent banking problem

If your card is lost or stolen, call your bank's customer service line. Many large banks staff their fraud and security lines on holidays, even when branches are closed. The number is usually on the back of your card. If you cannot reach anyone, you can freeze your card through your mobile app on most banking platforms, which stops fraudulent charges when ready.

If you have a dispute with a transaction, you can report it through your mobile app or online banking on Columbus Day. Document what happened (take screenshots if possible) and submit the dispute. Your bank will investigate it after the holiday ends. Disputes reported on the holiday are treated the same as those reported on a regular business day — the holiday does not reset your timeline to report.

Planning ahead for Columbus Day banking

If you know you will need to do something that requires a branch visit, do it the business day before Columbus Day. Deposit checks, get cash, or handle any account changes on Friday if Columbus Day falls on Monday. This prevents you from being stuck without access to services you need.

If you are expecting a deposit (paycheck, transfer from another account, government payment), check when it will arrive. Most deposits scheduled for Columbus Day will post the next business day instead. Your bank's website or app will show you the expected deposit date — if it says Monday and Monday is Columbus Day, assume it will arrive Tuesday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Columbus Day?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant, ATM, or online retailer on Columbus Day. The holiday only affects bank branches, not the card networks or payment systems. You can swipe, tap, or insert your card normally.

Will my paycheck deposit on Columbus Day?

Most likely not. If your employer processes payroll on Columbus Day, the deposit will usually post the next business day instead. Check with your employer about their payroll schedule, or log into your banking app to see the expected deposit date.

Can I deposit a check at an ATM on Columbus Day?

Only if your bank's ATMs have check deposit capability. Many do, but not all. If your ATM has a check slot, you can deposit 24/7, including on Columbus Day. The funds will be available within one to two business days. If your ATM does not have this feature, use mobile check deposit through your app instead.

What if I need a cashier's check on Columbus Day?

You cannot get one on Columbus Day because cashier's checks must be issued by a teller at a branch. Plan ahead and get one the day before. Some banks offer digital alternatives or certified checks through their online banking, so ask your bank what options exist.

Do online banks close on Columbus Day?

No. Banks that operate only online (like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, or Marcus) do not close on holidays. You can transfer money, deposit checks, and manage your account normally on Columbus Day. Customer service availability may vary, but the banking platform itself stays open.