Most banks close on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday in January each year. On this day, most banks in the United States are closed because it is a federal holiday. This means branch locations will not be open for in-person visits, and you cannot visit an ATM inside a bank building.

However, you can still use ATMs located outside bank buildings — at grocery stores, gas stations, or other retail locations — because those machines run on a separate network. Online banking, bill pay, and transfers through your bank's website or app work the same way they do on any other day.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank branches close on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is the third Monday in January.
  • ATMs outside bank buildings remain available, but ATMs inside closed branches do not.
  • Online banking, mobile apps, and automatic transfers continue to work normally on the holiday.
  • If you need cash or in-person service, plan ahead by visiting your bank the day before the holiday.
  • Some credit unions and smaller banks may have different holiday schedules, so check with your institution directly.

What stays open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Your bank's website and mobile app work the same way on a federal holiday as they do on any weekday. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills online, and deposit checks using mobile deposit — all without leaving home.

ATMs outside bank buildings operate 24 hours a day, every day, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day. These machines are connected to the ATM network your bank participates in, so you can withdraw cash or deposit checks at any ATM that displays your bank's logo or network symbol.

Debit card purchases at stores and restaurants work normally. Direct deposits and automatic bill payments scheduled for that day will process on time.

What closes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Physical bank branches are closed, so you cannot speak to a teller, open a new account, explore for a loan, or get a cashier's check in person. ATMs inside the bank building are also inaccessible because the building itself is locked.

If your bank has a customer service phone line, it may be closed or have limited hours. Check your bank's website or the back of your debit card for holiday hours before you call.

How to plan ahead for the holiday

If you need cash, withdraw it the business day before Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If you need a cashier's check or other in-person service, visit your branch on Friday or the day before the holiday.

If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit through your bank's app if you have that feature. If not, you can deposit at an ATM outside the bank building, or wait until the branch reopens.

If you have a time-sensitive transaction — such as a wire transfer or a loan process — contact your bank before the holiday to ask whether they can process it early or whether it will wait until the next business day.

Different rules for credit unions and online banks

Credit unions observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a holiday, so most branches close. However, some credit unions have different holiday schedules than traditional banks, so call ahead or check their website to confirm.

Online banks with no physical branches remain open on the holiday because they have no branch locations to close. You can still use their website and app, and customer service may be available by phone or chat — but check their holiday hours first, as some reduce staffing.

What to do if you need emergency banking on the holiday

If you have a genuine emergency — such as a fraudulent charge or a lost debit card — call the customer service number on the back of your card. Most banks maintain a 24-hour fraud line even on holidays.

If your card is lost or stolen, you can request a replacement through your bank's app or website, and it will be processed when the branch reopens. In the meantime, you can still use online banking and ATMs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card at stores on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Yes. Debit card transactions at stores, restaurants, and online retailers work normally on federal holidays. The holiday only affects your bank's branch locations and customer service hours, not the payment network itself.

Will my direct deposit arrive on time if it's scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Direct deposits scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day will process on time. The banking system processes these automatically, regardless of whether branches are open. You will see the money in your account as usual.

What if I need to deposit a check and the branch is closed?

Use mobile deposit through your bank's app if you have that feature — you photograph the check and submit it through the app. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, you can deposit at an ATM outside the bank building, or wait until the branch reopens the next business day.

Are ATMs inside closed bank buildings accessible on the holiday?

No. ATMs inside the bank building are not accessible when the branch is closed. Use ATMs at grocery stores, gas stations, or other retail locations instead. These machines operate 24 hours a day, every day.

Do online banks close on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Online banks with no physical branches remain open because there are no branches to close. You can use their website and app normally. However, customer service phone lines may have reduced hours, so check their website before calling.