Most banks in Massachusetts close on Patriots Day, but the timing depends on which bank you use

Patriots Day falls on the third Monday of May each year. In 2024, that is May 20. On this day, most national banks and credit unions in Massachusetts shut their branches and do not process transactions. The Federal Reserve does not operate, so wire transfers and ACH payments do not move. ATMs stay open, but you cannot deposit checks or speak to a teller.

Some banks close the entire day. Others—particularly smaller regional banks and some credit unions—may stay open. The only way to know for certain is to check your specific bank's website or call the branch directly, because Massachusetts observes Patriots Day as a state holiday but individual institutions set their own closure policies.

Key Takeaways

  • Patriots Day is the third Monday in May, and most major banks close their Massachusetts branches that day.
  • ATMs work on Patriots Day, but you cannot make deposits, withdrawals at the teller window, or wire money.
  • Some smaller banks and credit unions stay open on Patriots Day, so check with your institution before assuming it is closed.
  • Any transaction you submit on Patriots Day will not process until the next business day because the Federal Reserve is closed.
  • If you need cash or to make a payment before the holiday, do it the Friday before or wait until Tuesday.

What happens to payments and transfers on Patriots Day

The Federal Reserve does not operate on Patriots Day. This means wire transfers, ACH transfers (the system that moves money between accounts at different banks), and check clearing all stop. If you send a wire transfer on Patriots Day, it enters the queue but does not actually move until Tuesday morning.

Bill payments scheduled for Patriots Day may process on that day if they go through your bank's internal system, but they will not reach the receiving institution until the next business day. If you have a payment due on Patriots Day itself, you need to submit it by Friday at the latest to be safe.

Debit card transactions and online purchases still work because those run on separate networks that do not depend on the Federal Reserve. Your card will be charged when ready, even though the bank processing it is closed.

Which Massachusetts banks typically close on Patriots Day

All major national banks close on Patriots Day: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Chase, and TD Bank all shut their Massachusetts branches. Eastern Bank, Brookline Bank, and Salem Five—the larger regional banks in the state—also close. Most credit unions, including those in the Massachusetts Credit Union League network, close as well.

Smaller community banks vary. Some close; some do not. If your bank is local or regional and not one of the names listed above, call ahead or check their website. Many banks post their holiday schedule online in January or February, so you can see the full year at once.

How to handle banking needs around Patriots Day

If you need cash, withdraw it on Friday before the holiday. ATMs work on Patriots Day, but if your account is low and you need a teller to help you, you will need to go Friday or Tuesday. If you have a check to deposit, deposit it Friday—it will not clear until Tuesday anyway because of the holiday, but at least it will be in the system.

If you need to pay a bill, pay it Friday. Do not assume your bank will process it on Monday just because you submit it online. The receiving institution will not see it until Tuesday at the earliest. If the bill is due on Patriots Day itself, call the creditor and ask if they have received your payment, or pay by phone or online through their website instead of your bank.

If you need a wire transfer or a check certified, do it Friday. These services require a teller and will not happen on Patriots Day.

What stays open on Patriots Day

ATMs stay open and work normally. You can withdraw cash and check your balance. Mobile banking apps work. Online banking portals work. Debit cards work everywhere they normally do. You can still make purchases, pay bills through a merchant's website, and send money through apps like Venmo or PayPal.

What does not work: talking to a teller, depositing checks in person, getting a cashier's check, wiring money, or any service that requires a human being at the bank to process it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Patriots Day?

Yes. Debit card transactions process normally on Patriots Day because they run on separate networks from the Federal Reserve. Your card will be charged when ready, and the merchant will receive the payment. Your bank branch is closed, but the payment system is not.

Will my direct deposit hit my account on Patriots Day?

No. Employers typically submit payroll on Friday for Monday deposit, but because the Federal Reserve is closed on Patriots Day, the ACH transfer will not complete until Tuesday. Your paycheck will arrive Tuesday morning instead of Monday.

What if I need to deposit a check before Patriots Day?

Deposit it on Friday. The check will not clear until Tuesday because of the holiday, but it will be in your account and you can see it as pending. If you use mobile deposit through your bank's app, you can do that anytime, including Patriots Day itself.

Do credit unions close on Patriots Day in Massachusetts?

Most do, but not all. Call your credit union or check their website. Some smaller credit unions stay open on state holidays even when banks close. It is worth asking rather than assuming.

If I wire money on Friday, will it arrive before Patriots Day?

It depends on the receiving bank and the time you submit it. Wire transfers submitted before 2 p.m. on Friday usually arrive the same day. If you submit it after 2 p.m., it will not arrive until Tuesday because of the holiday. If you need money to arrive by Patriots Day, submit the wire by 1 p.m. on Friday.