Most banks are closed on December 26 in the United States
December 26 is not a federal holiday, so banks are not required to close. However, many banks choose to stay closed because their staff is still observing the Christmas holiday or using scheduled time off. Whether your specific bank is open depends on the bank's own policy, not on federal law.
The safest approach is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly the day before. Most banks post their holiday hours online, and a quick phone call takes less than a minute. If you need cash on December 26, ATMs work regardless of whether the branch is staffed, so you can withdraw money 24 hours a day if you have a card.
Key Takeaways
- December 26 is not a federal holiday, so banks are not legally required to close, but many choose to anyway.
- Your bank's decision to open or close on December 26 depends on its own holiday schedule, which varies by institution.
- ATMs and online banking work on December 26 regardless of whether the branch is open.
- Calling your branch or checking the bank's website the day before is the fastest way to know whether it will be staffed.
- If you need to deposit a check or speak to someone in person, plan ahead by visiting on December 24 or 27.
How to find your bank's December 26 hours
Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for a "Locations" or "Branch Hours" section. Most banks display holiday schedules there. If the website does not show December 26 specifically, call the branch directly—the phone number is usually on the website or on the back of your debit card.
When you call, ask directly: "Will you be open on December 26?" Do not ask whether the bank is open on "the day after Christmas," because some staff may not when ready connect that to the date. Having the specific date removes confusion.
What you can do on December 26 even if the branch is closed
ATMs work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using an ATM on December 26, whether or not the branch is staffed. If you use an ATM outside your bank's network, you may be charged a fee—check your account terms to see what that fee is.
Online banking and mobile apps also work on December 26. You can pay bills, send money to other people, deposit checks using mobile check deposit (if your bank offers it), and view your account. The only things you cannot do online are services that require a person—opening a new account, getting a cashier's check, or speaking to someone about a problem with your account.
What requires a staffed branch and what does not
| Service | Works on December 26 if branch is closed? |
|---|---|
| Withdraw cash | Yes, at ATM |
| Deposit cash | No |
| Deposit a check by mobile app | Yes, if your bank offers it |
| Deposit a check in person | No |
| Pay a bill online | Yes |
| Transfer money between your accounts | Yes |
| Send money to another person | Yes |
| Speak to someone about an account problem | No |
| Open a new account | No |
| Get a cashier's check | No |
If you need to deposit cash or a check on December 26
If your bank is closed on December 26 and you need to deposit cash or a physical check, visit the branch on December 24 or wait until December 27. Deposits made after hours or on a day the branch is closed are usually processed the next business day anyway, so depositing on the 24th gets your money in the system just as fast as depositing on the 26th would.
If you have a check and your bank offers mobile check deposit through its app, you can deposit it on December 26 without visiting a branch. Take a photo of the front and back of the check, upload it through the app, and the bank will process it. This works even if the branch is closed.
Planning ahead for the December 26 to 27 weekend
December 26, 2024 falls on a Wednesday, so the branch will likely reopen on Thursday, December 27. If December 26 falls on a weekend in other years, the branch will be closed anyway, so the holiday schedule does not matter. Check what day of the week December 26 falls on before you assume the branch will be closed.
If you know you will need cash or in-person banking services around the Christmas holiday, withdraw what you need on December 24 or earlier. This removes the uncertainty and means you are not dependent on whether your specific bank decided to stay open on the 26th.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on December 26 if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and at stores on December 26 regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The branch being closed does not affect your card or your account access.
Will a check I deposit on December 26 clear the same day?
No. Checks deposited on December 26 are processed the next business day, which is December 27. Deposits made after hours or on days the branch is closed are always held until the next business day.
What if I need to speak to someone at the bank on December 26?
If the branch is closed, you can call the bank's customer service number (usually on the back of your card or on the website) to speak to someone. Many banks staff their phone lines even on days when branches are closed. For urgent problems, this is often faster than waiting for the branch to reopen.
Do credit unions have different hours than banks on December 26?
Credit unions set their own holiday schedules just like banks do. Some stay open on December 26 and some close. Check your credit union's website or call the branch directly to find out.