Banks close on 11 federal holidays each year, plus a handful of state-specific days that vary by location

The Federal Reserve sets the official closure dates, and most banks follow this schedule. The 11 federal holidays that close banks nationwide are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Some states and individual banks add closures on Election Day or other state holidays, so your bank may be closed on days that are not federal holidays.

When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead. If Christmas falls on a Saturday, for example, most banks close on Friday. If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday. This shift means the actual closure date can move, so checking your bank's calendar for the specific year matters.

Banks do not all close at the same time on the day before a holiday. Some branches close early (2 p.m. or 3 p.m.), while others stay open until their normal closing time. Call your branch or check your bank's website to confirm hours on the day before a holiday if you need to do something in person.

Key Takeaways

  • The 11 federal holidays that close all U.S. banks are New Year's Day, MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
  • When a federal holiday lands on Saturday or Sunday, banks close on the nearest weekday instead, which can shift the actual closure date by one day.
  • Some states recognize additional holidays that close banks in that state only; check your bank's specific holiday calendar to see if your location has extra closures.
  • ATMs and online banking remain available on holidays, so you can withdraw cash or transfer money even when branches are closed.
  • Branches may close early on the day before a holiday, so call ahead if you need to visit in person.

How weekend holidays shift the closure date

When a federal holiday falls on Saturday, the Federal Reserve declares the preceding Friday a holiday for banking purposes. When a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday becomes the closure day. This rule exists so banks do not close on days when most people cannot visit anyway.

The shift affects your planning if you need cash or need to deposit a check. If you plan to deposit a check on Friday and Christmas is that Friday, the bank will be closed. You would need to use an ATM or wait until Saturday (if your bank has Saturday hours) or Monday. Check your bank's specific holiday calendar each year, because the day of the week changes annually.

State-specific holidays that close some banks

Beyond the 11 federal holidays, some states observe additional holidays that close banks within that state. Texas banks close on Confederate Memorial Day (in some counties). South Carolina banks close on Confederate Memorial Day. Alabama banks close on Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee's birthday. Florida banks close on Thanksgiving Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). Nevada banks close on Nevada Day. These closures explore only to banks headquartered or operating in those states.

If you bank with a national chain that has branches in multiple states, your local branch follows the rules for your state, not the state where the bank is headquartered. A Bank of America branch in Texas closes on Confederate Memorial Day even though Bank of America is headquartered in North Carolina. Check your specific bank's holiday calendar on their website to see which days your branch will be closed.

What you can do when the bank is closed

ATMs work on holidays, so you can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), and check your balance at any time. Online banking platforms remain open, so you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or send money to other people. Mobile apps function normally on holidays as well.

If you need to speak to a person, most banks offer a customer service phone line that operates on holidays, though wait times are often longer. Some banks staff holiday phone lines with limited personnel, so you may wait 20 to 40 minutes. Email support is usually available but may not be answered until the next business day.

Wire transfers initiated on a holiday typically process the next business day, not when ready. If you need a wire to arrive by a specific date, initiate it before the holiday closes. The same applies to checks deposited on a holiday — they usually clear the next business day, not the day of deposit.

Planning around bank holidays for time-sensitive transactions

If you have a bill due on or near a holiday, pay it at least one business day before the bank closes. A mortgage payment due on Monday that you mail on Friday of a holiday weekend may not post until Tuesday or Wednesday, which could trigger a late fee depending on your lender's grace period. Automatic payments and online bill pay are safer because they process on the date you schedule them, regardless of holidays.

If you need a cashier's check or a bank statement, request it before the holiday. Some banks can email statements when ready, but cashier's checks require a teller and cannot be obtained on a holiday. If you need one for a closing or a large transaction, plan ahead and pick it up the business day before.

Holiday hours for the day before and day after

The day before a holiday, many banks close early — often at 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. instead of their normal 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. closing time. This is not universal; some branches stay open normal hours. Call your branch or check the bank's website for the specific hours on the day before the holiday.

The day after a holiday, banks reopen at their normal time. If a holiday falls on Monday, the bank reopens Tuesday at its regular opening time (usually 9 a.m.). There is no extended opening time to make up for the closure, so plan accordingly if you need to visit in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check on a bank holiday using the ATM?

Yes, if your ATM has a deposit slot. The check will be held in the machine and processed the next business day. If the holiday is Monday, the check processes Tuesday. If the holiday is Friday, the check processes Monday (assuming the bank is open Saturday, which most are not).

Will my automatic payment go through on a bank holiday?

Yes. Automatic payments and bill pay scheduled through your bank's online system process on the date you set them, even if that date is a holiday. The transaction posts the next business day if the holiday is the scheduled date.

What if I need cash and the bank is closed on a holiday?

Use an ATM. ATMs operate 24/7 on holidays and weekends. If you do not have an ATM card, you will need to wait until the bank reopens. Some banks allow you to withdraw cash at grocery stores or pharmacies that have in-network ATMs.

Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?

Most credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, but some observe different hours or additional closures. Check your credit union's specific holiday calendar on their website or call your local branch to confirm.

If a holiday falls on a weekend, do I get an extra day off from work?

Not necessarily. Federal employees get the holiday observed on the nearest weekday, but private employers set their own holiday schedules. Some private companies observe the actual date, some observe the nearest weekday, and some do not observe the holiday at all. Check your employer's holiday calendar.