Most banks are closed on Columbus Day, but some branches and services stay open

Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means most traditional bank branches close for the day. The major banks—Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others—shut their physical locations on Columbus Day. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone in person, you will not be able to do that at a branch on October 14, 2024 (or whichever year you are checking).

However, the holiday does not stop all banking. ATMs stay open and work normally. Online banking, mobile apps, and phone lines continue to operate. Wire transfers, bill payments, and account transfers can all happen on Columbus Day through digital channels. The delay comes later: transactions you initiate on the holiday may not settle or post until the next business day.

Some credit unions and smaller regional banks have different policies. A few keep branches open on Columbus Day, though this is uncommon. If you bank with a smaller institution, check their website or call ahead rather than assume they are closed.

Key Takeaways

  • Physical bank branches are closed on Columbus Day, but ATMs and online banking work normally.
  • Transactions you start on Columbus Day through digital channels will process, but may not show in your account until the next business day.
  • Wire transfers and bill payments initiated on the holiday typically settle on Tuesday if Monday is Columbus Day.
  • Credit unions and regional banks sometimes stay open on Columbus Day, so check with your specific bank before assuming closure.

What you can and cannot do on Columbus Day

You can use an ATM to withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), and check your balance. You can log into your online banking portal or mobile app and transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or send money to other people. You can call your bank's customer service line—most keep phone support staffed on federal holidays. You cannot walk into a branch and speak to a teller, open a new account in person, or get a cashier's check from the counter.

If you need to move money to another bank, initiate the transfer online or by phone on Columbus Day and it will process. The receiving bank may not credit it until Tuesday, but the transaction starts moving when ready. The same applies to bill payments: set them up on Monday and they will go out on schedule, even if the payment date is Columbus Day itself.

When transactions actually post after the holiday

A transaction you initiate on Columbus Day does not disappear—it enters the queue. Most banks process transactions in batches overnight, and the federal holiday does not change that. A check you deposit in an ATM on Monday will be scanned and sent to the clearing house, but the funds may not appear in your account until Wednesday, depending on the check's origin bank.

Wire transfers are faster. If you send a wire on Columbus Day through online banking, it typically leaves your bank the same day and arrives at the receiving bank by end of business Monday. The receiving bank may not credit it until Tuesday morning, but the money is in motion. ACH transfers (the standard way to move money between banks) take one to two business days regardless of when you initiate them, so a transfer started on Monday will likely post on Wednesday.

Bill payments set up on Columbus Day will go out on their scheduled date. If you schedule a payment for Tuesday and set it up on Monday, it sends Tuesday. The holiday does not delay scheduled payments.

Which banks stay open and which close completely

The major national banks all close on Columbus Day: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, PNC, Capital One, and TD Bank. Regional banks like USAA, Charles Schwab, and Ally (which are mostly online anyway) do not have branch closures because they have few or no physical locations. Some credit unions stay open—Navy Federal Credit Union, for example, keeps some branches staffed on federal holidays, though hours are usually reduced. Pentagon Federal Credit Union also operates on Columbus Day in many locations.

The safest approach is to check your bank's website directly. Most banks publish their holiday hours in September or early October. Search "[Your Bank Name] Columbus Day hours" or look for a locations page that shows holiday schedules. If you cannot find it online, call the branch you plan to visit on Monday morning before you go.

Planning ahead if you need banking services on Columbus Day

If you know you will need cash on Columbus Day, withdraw it on Friday or Saturday. If you need to deposit a check, use an ATM with a deposit slot on Monday—the check will process normally. If you need to send money urgently, initiate the transfer online or by phone on Monday; it will go through even though the branch is closed.

If you need something that requires a teller—a cashier's check, a new account, a loan process—do it on Friday. Do not wait until Monday. If you are in a situation where you absolutely must speak to someone on Columbus Day, call your bank's customer service line. They may be able to help with account questions, fraud reports, or card issues, even if branches are closed.

What happens if you try to visit a closed branch

You will find the doors locked and a notice on the window stating the bank is closed for Columbus Day. The lobby will be empty. ATMs in the vestibule (if there is one) will still work, but you cannot access the teller area or any staff. Some banks leave a phone number on the door for emergencies, usually routing to a national customer service line.

If you have a genuine emergency—a fraudulent transaction, a card that was compromised, a critical account issue—call the number on the back of your debit or credit card. That line operates 24/7 on holidays and can often resolve problems without requiring a branch visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check on Columbus Day?

Yes, if your bank's ATM has a deposit slot. The check will be scanned and sent to the clearing house on Monday, and the funds will appear in your account by Wednesday in most cases. Mobile check deposit through your bank's app also works on Columbus Day.

Will a wire transfer I send on Columbus Day go through?

Yes. Wire transfers initiated through online banking or by phone on Columbus Day will leave your bank the same day and arrive at the receiving bank by end of business Monday. The receiving bank may not credit the funds until Tuesday morning.

What if I need cash and the ATM is broken on Columbus Day?

Try a different ATM—your bank likely has multiple locations, and most ATMs stay operational on holidays. If all nearby ATMs are down, you can visit a different bank's ATM, though you may be charged a fee. Plan ahead and withdraw cash on Friday if possible.

Do online banks close on Columbus Day?

No. Banks that operate primarily online, like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover, have no branch closures. Their websites and apps work normally on Columbus Day, and customer service lines are usually staffed.

Can I pay my bills on Columbus Day?

Yes. Set up bill payments through online banking on Columbus Day and they will process on schedule. Payments you schedule for Tuesday will go out Tuesday, regardless of when you set them up.