Most banks close on Thanksgiving Day, but some branches may have limited hours

The short answer: nearly all banks are closed on Thanksgiving Day itself. This includes the major national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank, as well as most community banks and credit unions. If you need to do banking on Thanksgiving, you will not be able to visit a branch.

The day after Thanksgiving (the Friday) most banks reopen at their normal hours. Some banks may open later than usual or have reduced hours on that Friday, so calling ahead is worth doing if you have a time-sensitive need. Online banking, ATMs, and mobile apps work on Thanksgiving Day itself — you can transfer money, check balances, or pay bills from home.

If you use a smaller local bank or credit union, call the branch directly to confirm. A few institutions stay open on Thanksgiving or have holiday hours that differ from the national chains, though this is uncommon.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank branches close on Thanksgiving Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7.
  • The day after Thanksgiving, most banks reopen at regular hours, though some may open an hour or two later.
  • Credit unions and smaller local banks sometimes have different holiday schedules, so confirm with your institution directly.
  • If you need cash before the holiday, withdraw it the day before or use an ATM on Thanksgiving itself.
  • Wire transfers and bill payments can be sent through online banking on Thanksgiving, but they may not process until the next business day.

What you can and cannot do on Thanksgiving

You can use your bank's ATM to withdraw cash, deposit checks (if the ATM has a deposit slot), and check your balance on Thanksgiving Day. You can also log into online banking or your mobile app to transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or send money to other people — though transfers to other banks may not complete until Friday.

You cannot visit a branch to speak with a teller, open a new account, explore for a loan, or resolve account problems that require a person. If you have a fraud issue or a card that is blocked, you may be able to call your bank's customer service line — many banks staff a phone line on major holidays — but branch services are closed.

Planning ahead for Thanksgiving banking needs

If you know you will need cash over the Thanksgiving weekend, withdraw it on Wednesday or earlier. ATMs work on the holiday, but if your card is lost or your account is frozen, you will have no way to fix it until Friday.

If you need to deposit a check, you can use a mobile deposit feature (taking a photo of the check through your app) on Thanksgiving itself, and the deposit will process on Friday. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, use the ATM deposit slot if available, or wait until Friday to deposit at a branch.

If you are expecting a wire transfer or a payment that needs to arrive by Thanksgiving, confirm the timing with the sender well before the holiday. Most wire transfers sent on Wednesday will arrive by Thursday, but transfers sent on Thursday morning may not arrive until Friday.

What happens to payments and transfers on Thanksgiving

Payments you send through online bill pay on Thanksgiving will be processed, but they may not reach the recipient until Friday or later, depending on the payment method. If you are paying a bill that is due on Thanksgiving, send it by Wednesday to be safe.

Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank usually happen when ready or within a few hours, even on Thanksgiving. Transfers to accounts at a different bank may take one to three business days, so Thanksgiving does not speed them up or slow them down — the timeline is the same as any other day.

Checks you write will not clear any faster or slower because of the holiday. A check deposited on Friday will clear on the same schedule as a check deposited on any other Friday.

Credit unions and smaller banks may have different hours

Credit unions sometimes stay open on Thanksgiving or have different holiday schedules than national banks. Some community banks also remain open or have limited hours. The only way to know is to call your branch or check your institution's website before the holiday.

If you belong to a credit union that is part of a shared branching network, you may be able to use another credit union's branch on Thanksgiving if that location is open. Ask your credit union whether this option is available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM and at stores on Thanksgiving, even though your bank branch is closed. You can withdraw cash from an ATM or make purchases anywhere that accepts cards.

Will my direct deposit arrive on Thanksgiving?

Direct deposits scheduled for Thanksgiving Day will not arrive until Friday. Your employer's payroll system will deposit the money, but the bank will not post it to your account until the next business day. If you are paid on Thanksgiving, expect the money to show up on Friday morning.

What if I need to report fraud on Thanksgiving?

Call your bank's customer service number on the back of your card. Most banks staff a fraud line 24/7, including holidays. If your card is stolen or you see unauthorized charges, report it when ready — waiting until Friday could cost you money.

Can I open a new account on Thanksgiving?

No. You must visit a branch or complete the process online through your bank's website. Some banks allow you to open an account online at any time, including Thanksgiving, but you cannot do it in person at a closed branch.

Do banks close on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

No. Most banks are open on the Friday after Thanksgiving at regular hours, though some may open an hour or two later than usual. Call ahead if you need to be there at a specific time.