Most banks close on Veterans Day, but some branches stay open
Yes, most banks are closed on Veterans Day (November 11th). All federally chartered banks must close on this day because it is a federal holiday. This includes the major national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank.
However, some credit unions and smaller regional banks may stay open, and a few large banks open select branches in certain locations. The safest approach is to check your specific bank's website or call your local branch the day before to confirm whether it will be open.
Key Takeaways
- Federal banks must close on Veterans Day because it is a federal holiday recognized by the U.S. government.
- Your bank's website or a quick phone call to your local branch will tell you whether that specific location is open.
- ATMs and online banking remain available even when physical branches are closed.
- If you need cash or in-person service, plan ahead by visiting your bank on the day before Veterans Day.
- Credit unions and regional banks may have different holiday schedules, so calling ahead is worth the time.
Why banks close on Veterans Day
Veterans Day is a federal holiday, which means the federal government recognizes it as an official day off. Banks that are chartered by the federal government—which includes nearly all major banks in the United States—are required by law to close on federal holidays. This is true even if Veterans Day falls on a weekend and is observed on a different day.
The Federal Reserve, which oversees the banking system, publishes an official list of holidays when banks must close. Veterans Day has been on that list since 1978. The closure applies to all federally insured depository institutions, meaning the rule covers the vast majority of banks you encounter in daily life.
Which banks might stay open
Some credit unions operate under different rules than federally chartered banks and may choose to stay open on Veterans Day. A few large banks also open certain branches in high-traffic areas, though this is uncommon. Your best source of information is your own bank's customer service line or website.
If you use a smaller regional or community bank, call ahead. These institutions sometimes have more flexibility in their holiday schedules than national chains do. Many regional banks post their holiday hours on their websites several weeks in advance, so you can check now rather than waiting until the day before.
How to access your money when branches are closed
You can withdraw cash from an ATM on Veterans Day even if your bank's branches are closed. ATMs run on a separate system and do not require staff to operate. You can also transfer money between accounts, check your balance, and deposit checks using your bank's mobile app or website.
If you need to speak to someone at your bank, most banks offer phone support on holidays, though wait times may be longer than usual. Check your bank's website for the holiday customer service number. For urgent issues like a lost or stolen card, banks maintain 24/7 phone lines regardless of the holiday.
Planning ahead for Veterans Day banking needs
If you know you will need cash or in-person service on or around Veterans Day, visit your bank on the business day before. Withdraw extra cash if you think you might need it over the holiday weekend. Pay any bills online or by phone before the holiday if they are due shortly after.
If you have a check to deposit, use your bank's mobile app to deposit it remotely, or wait until the day after Veterans Day. Checks deposited on the holiday will not be processed until the next business day anyway. The same applies to any paperwork that requires a teller—handle it before or after the holiday to avoid delays.
What happens to transactions on Veterans Day
Transactions you make online or through an ATM on Veterans Day will be processed, but they may not clear until the next business day. If you send a wire transfer or make a payment through your bank's website, it will be queued and processed once the bank reopens.
Checks you write will not clear any faster because the bank is closed. The date you write on the check does not change when it actually processes—that depends on when the receiving bank receives and processes it. Plan accordingly if you are paying bills by check and the due date falls shortly after Veterans Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM and at stores on Veterans Day, regardless of whether your bank's branches are open. The bank's computer systems are running even though the physical locations are closed.
Will my direct deposit go through on Veterans Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for Veterans Day may be delayed by one business day, depending on your employer and your bank. Some employers process payroll the day before the holiday to account for the closure. Check with your employer's payroll department if you are unsure when your deposit will arrive.
What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on Veterans Day?
Most large banks offer phone support on federal holidays, though wait times are usually longer. Look up your bank's holiday customer service number on its website before the holiday. For emergencies like a lost or stolen card, banks maintain 24/7 phone lines.
Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?
Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, but some stay open. Call your credit union ahead of time to confirm. Credit unions are not required to follow the same holiday schedule as federally chartered banks, so policies vary by institution.
If Veterans Day falls on a weekend, are banks still closed?
If Veterans Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes it on the nearest weekday—usually Friday if it falls on Saturday, or Monday if it falls on Sunday. Banks close on the observed date, not the actual calendar date.