Most banks close on Presidents Day, but the timing depends on which bank you use and what you need to do
Presidents Day falls on the third Monday in February each year. On that day, most major U.S. banks close their physical branches and do not process certain transactions. However, the specifics matter: some banks stay open longer than others, ATMs and online banking usually work normally, and wire transfers may still go through depending on the bank and the time you send them.
The Federal Reserve observes Presidents Day as a holiday, which means the national banking system does not process certain high-volume transactions that day. Individual banks follow this closure, though they set their own rules for what counts as closed and what services remain available.
Key Takeaways
- Most major banks close their physical branches on Presidents Day, but ATMs and online banking typically remain available.
- Wire transfers sent before the holiday may process, but transfers initiated on Presidents Day itself usually do not clear until the next business day.
- Check your specific bank's website or call their customer service line to confirm their Presidents Day hours, because policies vary by institution.
- If you need cash or in-person service on Presidents Day, plan ahead by withdrawing money the day before or using an ATM.
What actually closes on Presidents Day
Physical bank branches close on Presidents Day. You cannot walk into a Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, or most regional bank locations and conduct business with a teller. The Federal Reserve does not process certain transactions that day, and banks align their operations with that closure.
What stays open: ATMs work normally. Online banking portals remain accessible. Mobile apps function as usual. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up future transactions at any time on Presidents Day.
What does not process: Checks deposited on Presidents Day do not clear until the next business day. Wire transfers initiated on Presidents Day typically do not leave your account until Tuesday. Loan applications and account openings that require a teller or manager may be delayed. Cashier's checks cannot be issued.
How wire transfers work around the holiday
If you send a wire transfer on Presidents Day itself, it will not move until the next business day. The Federal Reserve's wire system (Fedwire) does not operate on federal holidays, so any wire you initiate on Monday will sit in your bank's queue until Tuesday morning.
If you need money to arrive by a specific date and that date is Presidents Day or the day after, send the wire the Friday before. Most banks process wires sent before 2 p.m. on Friday the same day, so the money reaches the receiving bank by end of business Friday. This gives you a buffer in case the receiving bank has its own processing delays.
International wire transfers have their own timeline and are not affected by U.S. federal holidays in the same way, but your U.S. bank still cannot initiate the wire on Presidents Day. The receiving country's banking system may also be closed, depending on where the money is going.
Check deposits and the clearing timeline
A check you deposit on Presidents Day does not clear on Presidents Day. It enters the clearing queue on Tuesday morning. Depending on the check amount and the banks involved, it may take one to three business days after that to fully clear — so a check deposited on Presidents Day could take until Thursday or Friday to show as available funds.
Mobile check deposits (taking a photo of the check through your bank's app) follow the same timeline. The image is submitted on Presidents Day, but the clearing process does not begin until Tuesday. Some banks hold mobile deposits longer than in-person deposits, so confirm your bank's policy if the timing matters.
If you need the funds urgently, deposit the check on Friday instead. Friday deposits clear by Monday or Tuesday, giving you access before the holiday weekend.
How to find your specific bank's Presidents Day hours
Call your bank's main customer service line. They can tell you whether your branch is open, what services are available, and what the exact hours are. Different branches of the same bank sometimes have different hours, so ask about your specific location.
Check your bank's website. Most banks post holiday hours prominently in February. Look for a "Holiday Hours" section or search for "Presidents Day" on the site. The information is usually updated by early February.
Some banks, particularly smaller regional banks and credit unions, may stay open on Presidents Day or have reduced hours instead of closing entirely. This varies widely, so do not assume your bank follows the same schedule as the major national banks.
Planning ahead for cash and urgent transactions
Withdraw cash on Friday if you know you will need it over the Presidents Day weekend. ATMs work on the holiday, but if you prefer to withdraw larger amounts or need a specific denomination, the teller window is only open Friday.
If you need a cashier's check, request it on Friday. Cashier's checks cannot be issued on Presidents Day because they require a bank officer's signature and the bank's official seal. Plan at least one business day ahead.
Account transfers between your own accounts can be set up online anytime, including Presidents Day. If you are transferring between two banks you own, initiate the transfer on Friday so it processes over the weekend or early Tuesday. Transfers initiated on Presidents Day itself usually do not begin processing until Tuesday.
What happens if you need help on Presidents Day
Most banks offer 24/7 phone support even on holidays. Call the number on the back of your debit card or check your bank statement. You can report fraud, ask questions about your account, or get information about transactions, even though the branch is closed.
Online chat support is sometimes available through the bank's website or app. Check whether your bank offers this before the holiday so you know how to reach them if something comes up.
If you have a true emergency — a fraudulent transaction, a compromised account, or a critical error — the phone line will connect you to someone who can help, even on Presidents Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant, ATM, or online retailer on Presidents Day. The bank branch is closed, but the card itself functions normally. You can make purchases, withdraw cash from ATMs, and check your balance through your bank's app.
Will my direct deposit go through on Presidents Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day may be delayed by one business day. If your paycheck is set to deposit on Presidents Day, it might not appear until Tuesday. Check with your employer or payroll provider about their specific schedule, as some process payroll the Friday before to avoid the holiday.
What if I need to deposit a check and the bank is closed?
Use mobile check deposit through your bank's app if available. Take a photo of the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. The check will enter the clearing queue on Tuesday morning, and the funds will be available within one to three business days after that.
Do credit unions close on Presidents Day?
Most credit unions close on Presidents Day, but some stay open or have reduced hours. Call your credit union directly to confirm their schedule. Credit union hours vary more widely than major bank hours, so do not assume they follow the same closure as national banks.
Can I pay my bills online on Presidents Day?
Yes. You can set up bill payments through your bank's online portal or through the biller's website anytime, including Presidents Day. However, if you schedule a payment for Presidents Day itself, it may not process until Tuesday. Schedule payments for the Friday before if you need them to clear by a specific date.