What bank holidays are and why they matter

Bank holidays are days when most banks in the United States close their physical branches and do not process certain transactions. On these days, you cannot visit a branch in person, use the ATM at that branch, or speak to a teller. However, you can usually still use online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs that are not inside a branch building.

Banks close on these days because federal law requires them to observe certain national holidays. The specific holidays vary slightly by state, but the federal holidays that affect banking are set by Congress. Understanding which days banks close helps you plan ahead — especially if you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone about your account.

The timing matters because transactions you make on a bank holiday may not process until the next business day. If you deposit a check on a Friday that is not a holiday, it may clear by Monday. If you deposit that same check on a Monday that is a bank holiday, it will not process until Tuesday.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks close on federal holidays set by Congress, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
  • When a bank is closed, you cannot visit a branch or use branch ATMs, but online banking and most standalone ATMs continue to work.
  • Checks and transfers you submit on a bank holiday will not process until the next business day.
  • Some states observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so your bank may close on days other banks do not.
  • Planning ahead — depositing checks early or withdrawing cash before a holiday — prevents delays in your transactions.

The federal bank holidays

The Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury recognize eleven federal holidays when banks must close. These are: New Year's Day (January 1), Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January), 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), and Christmas Day (December 25).

Most banks close on all eleven of these days. However, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, banks typically close on Monday. This means the actual closure date can shift depending on what day of the week the holiday lands on.

Some banks may also close on the day after Thanksgiving, though this is not a federal requirement. Check with your specific bank if you are unsure whether they observe this day.

What you can and cannot do on a bank holiday

On a bank holiday, you cannot walk into a physical branch, speak to a teller, or use an ATM that is located inside a branch building. You also cannot conduct certain transactions that require a bank employee to process them, such as opening a new account, getting a cashier's check, or speaking to someone about a loan.

What you can do depends on your bank's setup. Most banks allow you to use online banking and mobile apps on holidays — you can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills. You can also use ATMs that are not inside a branch, such as standalone ATMs in grocery stores or gas stations, though these may be operated by a different company and may charge a fee.

Transactions you start on a bank holiday — such as sending a wire transfer or depositing a mobile check through your app — will usually process on the next business day. Some banks process these overnight, while others wait until the following morning.

How bank holidays affect deposits and transfers

The timing of when you deposit money or send a transfer matters around bank holidays. If you deposit a check on a Thursday and Friday is not a holiday, the check typically clears by Monday. If Friday is a bank holiday, the check will not clear until Tuesday because the bank does not process deposits on holidays.

The same rule applies to wire transfers and ACH transfers (transfers between banks that take one to three business days). If you send a transfer on a Friday that is a bank holiday, it will not begin processing until the next business day, which is usually Monday. This can delay when the money reaches the other account by one full day.

If you need money to arrive by a specific date, deposit or send it at least one business day before that date, and check your bank's holiday schedule to make sure a holiday does not fall in between. For example, if you need money to arrive by Tuesday and Monday is a bank holiday, you should send it on the Friday before.

State-specific holidays that may affect your bank

Some states observe additional holidays beyond the federal list. For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, and some states in the Northeast observe Evacuation Day. If your bank is headquartered in or operates primarily in one of these states, it may close on these state holidays even though they are not federal holidays.

The best way to learn about your bank observes state holidays is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly. Most banks list their holiday schedule online, usually under a section called "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule." You can also ask a teller the next time you visit.

If you bank with a large national bank, it typically closes only on federal holidays. If you bank with a smaller regional or community bank, it may close on additional state holidays.

Planning ahead to avoid delays

The simplest way to avoid delays around bank holidays is to plan your deposits and transfers for earlier in the week. If you know a holiday is coming on Monday, deposit checks or send transfers on Friday. If a holiday is on Friday, do your banking on Thursday.

If you need cash on a holiday, withdraw it the day before. If you need to deposit a check and cannot do it before the holiday, use your bank's mobile app to deposit it by taking a photo of the check — most banks process mobile deposits overnight, even on holidays, as long as you submit them before the bank's cutoff time (usually in the evening).

Keep your bank's holiday schedule somewhere you can find it quickly — many people save it to their phone or post it on their refrigerator. Knowing the dates ahead of time means you can plan around them instead of being surprised by a closed branch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM on a bank holiday. You can make purchases, withdraw cash from standalone ATMs, and use your card normally. The only thing you cannot do is visit your bank's physical branch or use an ATM inside the branch building.

Will my direct deposit arrive on a bank holiday?

If the bank holiday falls on the day your employer normally deposits your paycheck, the deposit will arrive on the next business day instead. For example, if you are paid on Fridays and Friday is a bank holiday, your paycheck will arrive on Monday. Check with your employer if you are unsure when your next deposit will arrive.

What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on a holiday?

Most banks do not have staff available on federal holidays. However, some large banks offer phone support or online chat on certain holidays. Check your bank's website or call the number on the back of your debit card to see if support is available. For urgent issues, you may be able to leave a message and have someone call you back the next business day.

Do online banks close on bank holidays?

Online banks (banks with no physical branches) do not close on bank holidays because they have no branches to close. You can use their website and app normally. However, transactions you submit on a bank holiday may not process until the next business day, just like at traditional banks.

Is Juneteenth a bank holiday at all banks?

Yes. Juneteenth National Independence Day became a federal holiday in 2021, and all banks are required to close on June 19 (or the nearest weekday if June 19 falls on a weekend). This is a relatively new holiday, so if you have not seen it on your bank's schedule before, it is now included.