Most banks are closed on Good Friday, but the timing and exceptions depend on where you bank and what you need to do

Good Friday is a federal holiday in the United States, which means most traditional banks — Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and regional institutions — close their physical branches for the day. The Federal Reserve does not process payments on Good Friday, so wire transfers, ACH transfers, and check clearing all pause. If you need cash or have to deposit a check, you will need to plan ahead.

The catch is that "closed" does not mean you lose access entirely. ATMs stay open. Mobile banking and online transfers work normally. Some credit unions and smaller banks operate on different schedules. And if you bank with an institution that does not observe federal holidays — some online-only banks and certain credit unions — your branch may be open anyway.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal holiday status means most brick-and-mortar bank branches close on Good Friday, though ATMs remain available 24/7.
  • The Federal Reserve does not process wire transfers, ACH payments, or check clearing on Good Friday, so transfers initiated that day will not move until the next business day.
  • Online and mobile banking platforms work normally on Good Friday, so you can move money between your own accounts or pay bills electronically.
  • Credit unions and online-only banks may have different schedules, so checking your specific institution's holiday calendar before Good Friday prevents surprises.

Which banks close and which stay open

The major national banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, and PNC — all close their branches on Good Friday. Regional banks typically do the same. However, not every financial institution observes the federal holiday calendar. Some credit unions, particularly those that operate year-round or have different governance structures, stay open. Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have no physical branches to close, though their customer service phone lines may have reduced hours.

The best way to know for certain is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly before Good Friday. Most institutions publish their holiday schedule online, and a quick search for "[Your Bank Name] Good Friday hours" will tell you whether your specific location is open or closed. If you use multiple banks, check each one separately — a regional bank in your area might stay open while a national chain does not.

What you can and cannot do on Good Friday

You can withdraw cash from any ATM, deposit checks into ATM envelopes (though they will not be processed until the next business day), and use online or mobile banking to move money between your own accounts. You can also pay bills electronically through your bank's bill pay system, and those payments will queue up to send on the next business day. Debit card purchases work normally — the bank is closed, but the payment network is not.

What you cannot do is conduct business that requires a teller or bank employee. You cannot open a new account, explore for a loan, exchange currency, or get a cashier's check. Wire transfers initiated on Good Friday will not leave your account until Monday. ACH transfers (the system used for direct deposits and most bill payments) also wait until the next business day. Checks you deposit on Good Friday will not clear until at least Tuesday, sometimes later depending on the check's origin.

Planning ahead if you need cash or to deposit checks

If you know you will need cash over the Good Friday weekend, withdraw it on Thursday. Most ATMs have daily withdrawal limits — typically $500 to $1,000 — so plan accordingly. If you need more than your ATM limit allows, visit a teller on Thursday afternoon.

For checks, deposit them on Thursday if they need to clear quickly. A check deposited on Good Friday enters the queue on Monday morning, which delays clearing by at least one business day. If the check is from an out-of-state or out-of-network bank, add another day or two. If you have a mobile deposit option through your bank's app, you can photograph the check on Good Friday and it will process on Monday — this is often faster than a physical deposit at an ATM.

How the Federal Reserve's closure affects transfers

The Federal Reserve operates the systems that move money between banks — wire transfers, ACH transfers, and check clearing all run through Fed infrastructure. On Good Friday, the Fed is closed, so none of these systems operate. Any transfer you initiate on Good Friday sits in a queue until Monday morning, when the Fed reopens and processes it.

This matters most if you are expecting a wire transfer or direct deposit to arrive on Friday. It will not. If you are sending a wire transfer to pay a bill or send money to someone else, initiate it on Thursday instead. The same applies to ACH transfers — if you set up a bill payment or transfer on Good Friday, it will not move until Monday, even if you scheduled it for Friday.

Credit unions and online banks

Credit unions are not required to follow the federal holiday calendar, though many do. Some credit unions stay open on Good Friday because their membership or business model does not align with federal holidays. Call your credit union directly to confirm their Good Friday hours — do not assume they are closed just because major banks are.

Online-only banks like Ally, Discover, and Charles Schwab have no physical locations, so there is no branch closure. However, their customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be closed entirely on Good Friday. Online banking and transfers work normally. If you need to speak to someone, check their website for Good Friday customer service hours before the holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The bank being closed does not affect the payment network. You can spend money, withdraw cash, and make purchases normally.

Will a wire transfer I send on Good Friday go through that day?

No. The Federal Reserve does not process wire transfers on Good Friday, so any wire you initiate that day will not leave your account until Monday morning. If you need the money to arrive on Friday, send it on Thursday instead.

What if I need to deposit a check on Good Friday?

You can deposit it in an ATM envelope, but it will not be processed until Monday. If your bank offers mobile deposit through its app, photograph the check on Good Friday and it will process on Monday — often faster than a physical ATM deposit.

Do all credit unions close on Good Friday?

No. Credit unions are not required to observe federal holidays. Some stay open on Good Friday while others close. Contact your credit union directly to confirm their hours before the holiday.

Can I still pay bills online on Good Friday?

Yes. You can set up bill payments through your bank's online or mobile platform on Good Friday. The payment will queue up and send on the next business day. Just remember that the actual payment will not leave your account until Monday.