The federal government recognizes 11 bank holidays each year
The United States observes 11 federal holidays when most banks close. These are days when the Federal Reserve, most national banks, and many state and local banks shut down. The holidays are set by federal law, though individual banks can choose to observe additional days or stay open on some federal holidays depending on their policies and state requirements.
The 11 federal holidays are New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Most banks treat these the same way: they close their branches and do not process transactions, though ATMs and online banking usually remain available.
Bank holidays matter because any transaction you submit on a holiday will not process until the next business day. A check you deposit on a Friday that is also a bank holiday will not clear until Monday. Wire transfers initiated on a holiday will not leave your account until the following business day. This affects when money moves, not whether it moves.
Key Takeaways
- The federal government designates 11 holidays when most banks close their branches, though ATMs and online banking typically stay available.
- Transactions submitted on a bank holiday will not process until the next business day, which can delay deposits, withdrawals, and transfers by one or more days.
- Some banks may observe additional holidays beyond the 11 federal ones, so checking your bank's specific holiday schedule prevents surprises.
- State and local banks sometimes stay open on federal holidays or close on different days, so your bank's closure schedule may differ from the national standard.
The complete list of 11 federal bank holidays
Here are the 11 days when federal banks close:
| Holiday | Typical Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. | Third Monday in January |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
Juneteenth became the 11th federal bank holiday in 2021. Before that, the federal government recognized 10 holidays. Some banks also close on the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday), though this is not a federal holiday and varies by bank.
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, banks typically close on Monday. This shift ensures that banks still close for one full business day even when the actual date lands on a weekend.
How bank holidays affect your transactions
On a federal bank holiday, your bank's physical branches will be closed. You cannot walk in, speak to a teller, or conduct in-person business. However, ATMs remain operational at most banks, and online banking platforms stay available 24/7. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and view transactions at any time.
The real impact is on processing time. Any transaction that requires manual review or routing through the Federal Reserve system will not move until the next business day. If you deposit a check on a Monday that is a bank holiday, the bank will not begin processing it until Tuesday. If you initiate a wire transfer on a holiday, the funds will not leave your account until the next business day. ACH transfers (like direct deposits or bill payments) scheduled for a holiday will process on the next business day instead.
Some transactions are not affected. Debit card purchases go through when ready because they use real-time payment networks. Transfers between accounts at the same bank may process when ready even on a holiday. Checks you write are not affected by bank holidays—the date you write them does not change when they clear. The holiday only delays processing if you are depositing a check or waiting for a bank-processed payment to arrive.
State and local banks may have different schedules
Not every bank in the United States closes on all 11 federal holidays. State-chartered banks and credit unions sometimes observe different holidays or stay open on federal holidays. Some regional banks close on additional days that matter locally—for example, a bank in Texas might close on Texas Independence Day (March 2), which is not a federal holiday.
Your best source is your bank's website or a call to your local branch. Most banks publish their holiday schedule online, often under a "Hours" or "Locations" page. You can also ask when you open an account or call customer service. Knowing your specific bank's schedule prevents the frustration of planning a transaction around a day you think the bank is closed when it is actually open, or vice versa.
Credit unions follow similar patterns to banks but may have slightly different schedules. The National Credit Union Administration recognizes the same 11 federal holidays, but individual credit unions can choose to stay open or close on additional days. Check with your credit union directly.
Planning around bank holidays
If you need money to arrive by a specific date, count backwards from that date and account for bank holidays. If you are depositing a check on a Thursday and Friday is a bank holiday, the check will not begin processing until Monday. That means it could take until Wednesday or Thursday of the following week to clear, depending on your bank's processing time and the check amount.
For time-sensitive payments, use methods that do not depend on bank processing. Debit cards, real-time payment apps (like Venmo or Zelle), and wire transfers initiated before a holiday will move faster than checks or ACH transfers. If you are paying a bill and a bank holiday is coming, submit the payment at least one business day early to may support it processes on time.
If you are expecting a direct deposit (like a paycheck or government benefit), the deposit will arrive on the scheduled date even if that date is a bank holiday—the money will be in your account, but you may not be able to withdraw it from a branch until the next business day. ATM withdrawals usually work when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all banks close on all 11 federal holidays?
Most national banks and large regional banks close on all 11 federal holidays. However, some state-chartered banks, credit unions, and smaller institutions may stay open on certain federal holidays or observe additional local holidays. Contact your bank directly to confirm its specific schedule.
Can I use my ATM or online banking on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs remain operational and online banking platforms stay available 24/7 on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. Transactions that require manual processing or Federal Reserve routing will not complete until the next business day.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, does my bank close on Friday or Monday?
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, banks typically close on Monday. This ensures banks observe one full business day off. Check your bank's specific policy, as some may handle this differently.
Will my paycheck arrive on time if it is scheduled for a bank holiday?
Your employer will likely process the deposit on the scheduled date, and the money will appear in your account on that day even if it is a bank holiday. However, if you need to withdraw cash from a branch, you will have to wait until the next business day. ATM withdrawals usually work when ready.
How long does a check take to clear if I deposit it on a bank holiday?
A check deposited on a bank holiday will not begin processing until the next business day. Depending on your bank and the check amount, it typically takes one to three business days after processing begins. So a check deposited on a Monday holiday might not clear until Thursday or Friday.