Most banks are closed on St. Patrick's Day because it is not a federal holiday in the United States

St. Patrick's Day falls on March 17 each year, but banks treat it like any other day. The federal government does not recognize it as an official holiday, so banks are not required to close. This means most banks will be open during their normal business hours on March 17, whether that day falls on a weekday or weekend.

However, individual banks sometimes make their own decisions. A few banks may close on March 17 if they are located in areas with large St. Patrick's Day celebrations, or if their parent company decides to give employees the day off. The safest approach is to check with your specific bank rather than assume it will be open.

Key Takeaways

  • St. Patrick's Day is not a federal holiday, so banks are not required to close and most will operate on their regular schedule.
  • Some individual banks may choose to close on March 17, particularly in cities known for large celebrations.
  • You can confirm your bank's hours by calling the branch directly, checking their website, or using their mobile app.
  • If you need cash or to deposit a check on March 17, plan ahead by visiting your bank the day before.
  • ATMs and online banking work the same way on St. Patrick's Day as any other day, regardless of branch hours.

How to learn about your specific bank is open

The quickest way is to call your bank's local branch directly. The phone number is usually on your debit card, on your statements, or on the bank's website. Ask whether they will be open on March 17 and what their hours will be.

You can also check online. Most banks list holiday hours on their website or mobile app. Search for "holiday hours" or look for a section labeled "locations" or "branch finder." Some banks update this information weeks in advance, so you may see March 17 listed already.

If you bank with a large national chain like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, or Citibank, you can almost certainly assume your branch will be open. Smaller regional banks and credit unions are more likely to close, so those are worth calling ahead about.

What you can do if your bank is closed

ATMs work on St. Patrick's Day regardless of whether the branch is open. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance using the ATM 24 hours a day. If you need to deposit a check and your bank has mobile check deposit (most do), you can photograph the check with your phone and deposit it through the app without visiting a branch at all.

Online banking also runs normally. You can transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and send money to other people using your bank's website or app. These services do not depend on the branch being open.

If you need to speak with someone at the bank — to dispute a charge, ask about a loan, or handle something that requires a person — and your branch is closed on March 17, you can usually call the bank's customer service line. Most banks staff their phone lines even on days when branches are closed.

Planning ahead for St. Patrick's Day banking

If you know you will need cash or need to complete a transaction in person on March 17, visit your bank on March 16 instead. This takes the uncertainty out of the equation and ensures you have what you need.

If March 17 falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), your branch will likely be closed anyway, whether it is St. Patrick's Day or not. Most bank branches do not open on weekends. In those years, plan your banking for Friday, March 16 or Monday, March 18.

Federal holidays that do close banks

St. Patrick's Day is not one of them, but banks do close on certain federal holidays. These include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

On these days, branches close and ATM deposits may take longer to process (though you can still use the ATM). If you are unsure whether a particular day is a federal holiday, your bank's website will list all the days it will be closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my ATM on St. Patrick's Day if the branch is closed?

Yes. ATMs operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of whether the branch is open. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance on St. Patrick's Day using any ATM from your bank.

Will my direct deposit go through on St. Patrick's Day?

Yes. Direct deposits are processed automatically by the bank's computer systems and do not depend on the branch being open. Your paycheck will arrive on its normal schedule even if March 17 falls on a day your branch is closed.

What if I need to cash a check on St. Patrick's Day and the branch is closed?

If your bank has mobile check deposit, you can photograph the check with your phone and deposit it through the app. The funds will be available within one to two business days. If you need cash when ready and the branch is closed, you can withdraw from an ATM if you have sufficient funds already in your account.

Do credit unions close on St. Patrick's Day?

Most credit unions stay open on St. Patrick's Day because it is not a federal holiday. However, some smaller credit unions may close. Call your credit union directly to confirm their hours on March 17.