Most banks are closed on Veterans Day, but some branches and ATMs stay open

Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. On that date, most major banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and regional banks — close their physical branches because it is a federal holiday. This means you cannot walk into a branch, speak to a teller, or use drive-through services.

However, the closure is not total. ATMs run 24/7 regardless of the holiday, so you can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at any ATM your bank operates. Online banking, mobile apps, and phone banking also work normally. Wire transfers, bill payments, and account transfers you initiate yourself go through without delay.

The real impact hits if you need a teller — to deposit cash, get a cashier's check, dispute a transaction in person, or handle anything that requires a person behind the counter. Those services stop on Veterans Day itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank branches close on Veterans Day, but ATMs and online banking work the same as any other day.
  • If you need cash or want to check your balance, use an ATM — your bank's network is available around the clock.
  • Transactions you start yourself (transfers, bill payments, wire requests) process normally, though they may post the next business day.
  • Plan ahead if you need a cashier's check, cash deposit, or anything requiring a teller — visit your branch on November 10 or after November 12.

Which banks close and which stay open

All federally chartered banks and most state-chartered banks close on Veterans Day because federal law requires it. This includes every major national bank and nearly all regional and community banks. If your bank is FDIC-insured — which covers the vast majority of U.S. banks — it closes on Veterans Day.

Credit unions follow the same rule. Most close on Veterans Day, though a small number of credit unions stay open. Call your credit union directly if you are unsure; they can tell you their specific hours.

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover have no physical branches, so the holiday does not affect them. You can still log in, transfer money, and manage your account exactly as you would on any other day.

What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day

You can use ATMs to withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), transfer money between your own accounts, and check your balance. You can log into your online banking portal or mobile app and initiate transfers, pay bills, or send wire requests. These transactions process normally, though some may not post to the receiving account until the next business day.

You cannot visit a branch to deposit cash by hand, get a cashier's check, dispute a charge with a teller, close an account, open a new account, or speak to a banker about a loan. If you need any of these services, you must wait until the branch reopens.

Automatic payments and recurring transfers you have already set up continue on schedule. Your paycheck deposits the same way. Debit card purchases work normally. The holiday affects only the physical branch and the people who staff it.

Planning ahead for Veterans Day closures

If you know you will need a teller service on or around Veterans Day, visit your branch on November 10. Get any cashier's checks you need, deposit large amounts of cash, or handle account changes before the holiday. This prevents you from being stuck without a service you expected.

If you realize on Veterans Day itself that you need something only a teller can do, check whether your bank has branches in other states that might be open. Some banks operate in states that do not observe Veterans Day as a paid holiday, though this is rare. Your best option is usually to wait until November 12 or later.

For wire transfers or urgent payments, initiate them through your online banking portal or mobile app. These go through on the holiday itself, even though the branch is closed. The receiving bank processes them the next business day.

ATM and online banking during the holiday

ATMs are the most reliable way to handle banking on Veterans Day. Every bank's ATM network runs continuously, and you can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and move money between accounts without any interruption. There are no daily limits on ATM withdrawals imposed by the holiday itself — your bank's normal withdrawal limits still explore.

Online banking and mobile apps work exactly as they do on weekends or any other day. You can transfer money to another account at the same bank, send money to accounts at other banks (through services like Zelle or your bank's own transfer tool), pay bills, and check your balance. Transactions you initiate before midnight on Veterans Day process the same way they would on any other day.

Phone banking — calling your bank's customer service number — also stays open. You can speak to someone about your account, report a lost card, or ask questions, though response times may be longer because fewer staff are working.

When deposits and transfers actually post

Deposits you make at an ATM on Veterans Day are received by the bank, but they may not post to your account until the next business day — November 12. This is not because of the holiday itself, but because the bank's processing centers do not run a full cycle on federal holidays. Check deposits made at ATMs typically post within one to two business days under normal circumstances; Veterans Day does not change this timeline.

Transfers you initiate through online banking or your mobile app on Veterans Day go into the queue and process the next business day. If you send money to another bank, it may take an additional day depending on the receiving bank's processing schedule. Plan accordingly if you need the money to arrive by a specific date.

Payments you schedule in advance — such as bill payments set to go out on November 12 — process on that date regardless of whether November 11 was a holiday. The bank's system handles the timing automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?

Yes. Debit card purchases work normally on Veterans Day because they are processed through payment networks that run 24/7. ATM withdrawals using your debit card also work. The holiday affects only the physical branch, not the card networks or ATM systems.

Will my direct deposit be delayed if it lands on Veterans Day?

No. Payroll deposits are processed by employers and their payroll services, not by your bank's branch. Your paycheck deposits on schedule. The bank's branch closure does not affect automatic deposits or transfers you have already set up.

What if I need to dispute a charge on Veterans Day?

You can report a fraudulent or incorrect charge through your online banking portal, mobile app, or by calling customer service. You do not need to visit a branch. The bank will open a dispute and investigate it the same way they would on any other day.

Are credit unions open on Veterans Day?

Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, but some stay open. Call your credit union directly to confirm their hours. If they are closed, you can still use their ATM network and online banking the same way you would at a bank.

Can I get a cashier's check on Veterans Day?

No. Cashier's checks are issued by tellers at the branch, and branches are closed on Veterans Day. If you need a cashier's check, visit your branch on November 10 or after November 12. Some banks may offer alternatives like certified checks or online payment options — call ahead to ask.