Most U.S. banks will be closed on Good Friday, April 18, 2025

Good Friday is a federal holiday, and the vast majority of banks observe it by closing their physical branches. This means you will not be able to walk in, use the drive-through, or speak to a teller on that day. However, the specifics depend on which bank you use and what you need to do.

If your bank is part of the Federal Reserve system—which includes nearly all major banks—it will be closed. The Federal Reserve itself closes on Good Friday, which means no check clearing, no wire processing, and no inter-bank transfers happen that day. Some smaller regional or community banks may have different policies, so calling ahead is the only way to be certain about your specific institution.

ATMs and online banking will remain available on Good Friday, even when branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills online without interruption. Mobile banking apps work the same way. The limitation is only on services that require a bank employee or the Federal Reserve's processing systems.

Key Takeaways

  • Physical bank branches will be closed on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, because it is a federal holiday.
  • ATMs and online banking services continue to work normally on Good Friday, so you can withdraw cash and move money between your own accounts.
  • Checks deposited on Good Friday will not be processed until the following business day, so timing matters if you need the funds quickly.
  • Wire transfers and payments to other people's accounts may be delayed if you initiate them on Good Friday, depending on your bank's system.
  • A small number of banks may stay open; calling your branch directly is the only way to confirm your bank's specific holiday schedule.

What you can and cannot do on Good Friday

ATM withdrawals, balance checks, and transfers between accounts you own will work normally. You can also pay bills through your bank's online portal, send money to people through Zelle or similar peer-to-peer services, and deposit checks using your mobile app's check deposit feature (though processing will wait until the next business day). These services do not depend on the Federal Reserve being open.

What will not work: speaking to a customer service representative at a branch, opening a new account in person, getting a cashier's check, explore for a loan, disputing a transaction with a teller, or conducting any service that requires a bank employee. Wire transfers initiated on Good Friday may not leave your account until the following Monday, depending on your bank's cutoff times. If you need a wire to arrive by a specific date, do not wait until Good Friday to send it.

Check deposits made through your phone's app on Good Friday will be received by the bank, but the funds will not be available until at least the next business day—and possibly longer if your bank's standard deposit window is longer than one day. If you deposit a check in an ATM on Good Friday, the same delay applies.

Banks that may have different hours

Most national banks—Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, and others—will be fully closed on Good Friday. However, some credit unions and smaller regional banks do not observe all federal holidays. A few banks in certain states may have different policies based on state law or company practice.

The only reliable way to know your bank's specific schedule is to call the branch directly or check your bank's website. Many banks post their holiday hours in early April, and you can usually find a link on the homepage or in the "Locations" or "Hours" section. If you cannot find it online, a five-minute phone call to your branch will give you a definitive answer.

If you bank with a very small local bank or a credit union, ask specifically whether they observe Good Friday. Some do; some do not. Do not assume based on what a larger bank does.

Planning ahead to avoid delays

If you need cash on Good Friday, withdraw it on Thursday. ATMs will have cash available, but if the machine runs out and you need more, you will have no way to get it until Saturday morning at the earliest. If you are expecting a check deposit to clear by a certain date, deposit it by Wednesday so it clears by Friday. A Good Friday deposit will not clear until Monday.

If you need to send a wire transfer, do it by Thursday afternoon. Most banks have a cutoff time in the early afternoon (often 2 or 3 p.m. Eastern time), and anything after that may not process until the next business day anyway. On Good Friday, nothing will process at all.

If you have a bill due on or shortly after Good Friday, pay it online by Thursday. Do not rely on a check mailed on Friday to arrive on time. If you need to dispute a charge or speak to someone about your account, call on Thursday or wait until Monday.

What happens to checks and deposits over the Good Friday weekend

The Federal Reserve does not process checks on Good Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. A check deposited on Thursday will clear on Friday. A check deposited on Friday will not clear until Monday. A check deposited on Saturday or Sunday will not clear until Tuesday. This is true regardless of which bank you use.

If you are depositing a check through your mobile app on Good Friday, the bank receives the image when ready, but the actual funds will not be available until Monday at the earliest. Your bank may show the deposit as "pending" on Friday, but you cannot spend that money until Monday.

If someone writes you a check dated Good Friday, it will not clear any faster than a check dated any other day. The date on the check does not matter; what matters is when you deposit it and when the Federal Reserve processes it.

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, ATM, or online store on Good Friday, just as it does any other day. The bank being closed does not affect your ability to spend money or withdraw cash from ATMs. The only limitation is that you cannot go inside a branch to speak to someone.

Will my direct deposit arrive on Good Friday?

No. Employers typically process payroll on Thursday or Friday for Friday deposit, but if Good Friday is the deposit date, the Federal Reserve's closure means the money will not actually hit your account until Monday. Check with your employer about their specific payroll schedule, but assume a Friday deposit will arrive Monday instead.

What if I need to deposit a check urgently before Good Friday?

Deposit it by Thursday using your mobile app or an ATM. The bank will receive it and it will clear by Friday. If you wait until Friday, it will not clear until Monday. If you need the funds even faster, ask the person who wrote the check whether they can give you cash instead, or ask your bank whether they offer early deposit for checks (some do, but it is not standard).

Do online banks close on Good Friday?

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, or Discover do not have physical branches, so there is nothing to close. However, their customer service phone lines may be closed, and Federal Reserve processing delays still explore to checks and transfers. Your account and ATM access will work normally.

What if my bank says it is open on Good Friday?

Some banks, particularly smaller regional or community banks and some credit unions, do stay open on Good Friday. If your bank's website or a phone call confirms they are open, you can visit in person. However, even if your branch is open, the Federal Reserve is still closed, so wire transfers and check clearing will still be delayed.