Most banks are closed on December 26th in the United States, but the answer depends on whether that date falls on a weekday and which bank you use.

December 26th is not a federal holiday, so banks do not close for the holiday itself. However, if December 26th lands on a Saturday or Sunday, your bank will be closed for the weekend. If it falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), most brick-and-mortar branches will be open during their normal hours, though some banks may have reduced staffing or modified schedules the day after Christmas.

The real issue is that December 25th—Christmas Day—is a federal holiday when all banks close. Many banks extend reduced hours or closures into December 26th as a courtesy to staff, even though they are not required to. Your specific bank's decision depends on its own policy, not on law.

ATMs and online banking work on December 26th regardless of branch closures. You can withdraw cash, check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills through your bank's app or website without interruption. Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on December 26th may not process until the next business day, depending on the time you submit them.

Key Takeaways

  • December 26th is not a federal holiday, so banks are not legally required to close, but many choose to anyway the day after Christmas.
  • If December 26th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, your branch will be closed for the weekend regardless of the holiday calendar.
  • ATMs and online banking are available on December 26th even if your physical branch is closed.
  • Wire transfers and ACH transfers started on December 26th typically do not process until the next business day.
  • Call your specific bank or check their website to confirm whether your branch is open, since policies vary by institution.

How to find your bank's December 26th hours

The fastest way is to open your bank's app or website and search for "branch hours" or "holiday hours." Most banks publish their December schedule in early December. Look for a calendar view or a list that shows which days are closed or have modified hours.

If your bank does not list December 26th specifically, call the branch directly. The phone number is usually on your debit card, on your statements, or on the bank's website. Ask whether the branch is open on December 26th and what time it closes. Staff can also tell you whether a nearby branch has different hours if yours is closed.

Do not assume that because your bank was open on December 24th it will be open on December 26th. Some banks close for two or three days around Christmas, while others close only on December 25th.

What you can do if your branch is closed

ATMs work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at most banks. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a check deposit slot), and transfer money between your own accounts. ATM transactions usually post to your account within one business day.

Online banking and mobile apps have no closing time. You can pay bills, send money to other people through your bank's transfer service, check your balance, and review transactions at any hour. Payments you schedule for December 26th may not leave your account until the next business day, depending on the type of payment and the time you submit it.

If you need to speak to a person and your branch is closed, most banks offer phone support on December 26th. The number is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Some banks also offer chat support through their app or website.

When payments actually process after December 26th

The day after Christmas is not a federal holiday, so banks process transactions normally on December 26th if it falls on a weekday. However, transactions initiated on December 26th may not clear until December 27th or later, depending on the type of payment and when you submit it.

ACH transfers (payments to other people's bank accounts) typically take one to three business days. If you start an ACH transfer on December 26th at 2 p.m., it will not leave your account until December 27th at the earliest, and the recipient may not see it until December 28th or 29th.

Wire transfers usually process the same business day if you submit them before your bank's cutoff time, which is often 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time. Check your bank's website or call to confirm the cutoff time on December 26th.

Bill payments through your bank's bill pay service typically take one to three business days, depending on whether the payee is set up to receive electronic payments. Payments to utilities, credit card companies, and loan servicers usually arrive within two business days.

Banks that may have different December 26th schedules

Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank typically close on December 25th only and reopen on December 26th at normal hours if it is a weekday. However, individual branches may have different hours, so check your specific location.

Credit unions often follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, but some close for additional days around Christmas. Check your credit union's website or call ahead.

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover have no physical branches, so there is no branch closure on December 26th. You can access your account and conduct transactions through their app or website at any time. Customer service phone lines may have reduced staffing on December 26th, but most online banks offer support seven days a week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check on December 26th if my branch is closed?

If your bank has an ATM with a check deposit slot, you can deposit checks 24 hours a day. The deposit will post to your account within one business day. If your ATM does not have a deposit slot, you will need to wait until your branch reopens.

Will my direct deposit hit my account on December 26th?

Direct deposits scheduled for December 26th will process normally if that date is a weekday. Your employer's payroll system sends the deposit to your bank, and it should appear in your account by the end of the business day on December 26th or the next morning.

What if I need to wire money on December 26th and my branch is closed?

Call your bank's customer service line to initiate a wire transfer. Most banks accept wire requests by phone even when branches are closed. Confirm the cutoff time for same-day processing, which is usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern time.

Do I need to do anything special if I'm traveling on December 26th?

Notify your bank before you travel so they do not flag your transactions as fraud. Use ATMs in the network your bank belongs to (or partner networks) to avoid out-of-network fees. Have your bank's customer service phone number saved in case you need help while traveling.