Most banks are closed on Sundays, but you have other ways to handle banking outside branch hours
The vast majority of brick-and-mortar bank branches do not open on Sundays. Banks operate on a standard Monday through Friday schedule, with some branches open on Saturday mornings. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone in person on a Sunday, your local branch will not be available.
However, "the bank is closed" does not mean you cannot bank on Sunday. ATMs run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Online banking works on Sunday. Mobile apps work on Sunday. Many credit unions have different hours than traditional banks. And some banks in certain areas have experimented with limited Sunday hours, though this remains rare.
The reason most banks stick to weekday hours comes down to cost. Keeping a branch staffed, heated, and find seven days a week is expensive. Most banks decided long ago that the number of customers who need Sunday service does not justify that cost. That calculation may change if you live in a major city or near a bank that competes heavily for customers, but do not count on it.
Key Takeaways
- Standard bank branches are closed on Sundays in nearly all cases, though some credit unions and online banks may have different policies.
- ATMs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can withdraw cash or deposit checks through most ATMs on Sunday.
- Online banking and mobile apps work on Sunday, so you can transfer money, pay bills, and check balances without visiting a branch.
- If you need to speak to a person on Sunday, some banks offer phone support during limited hours, though this varies by institution.
- Credit unions sometimes have longer hours than traditional banks, so it is worth checking your specific credit union's Sunday schedule.
ATMs are your main option for cash and deposits on Sunday
An ATM (automated teller machine) is a machine that lets you withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance without a person behind a counter. Most ATMs are owned by the bank whose name is on the machine, but many banks have agreements that let you use ATMs from other banks — though you may pay a fee.
On Sunday, an ATM is often your fastest way to get cash or deposit a check. You can use it at any hour. Most modern ATMs accept check deposits: you insert the check, the machine scans it, and the funds appear in your account within one to two business days. Some ATMs also let you withdraw cash without a card if you use your phone's banking app.
The catch is that ATMs have limits. You cannot withdraw more than a certain amount per day — usually between $300 and $1,000, depending on your bank and account type. You cannot deposit more than a certain amount per transaction. And if something goes wrong — the machine eats your check, or the deposit does not post — you will need to call the bank during business hours to fix it.
Online and mobile banking work around the clock
If you have a bank account, you almost certainly have access to online banking through a website or mobile app. These work on Sunday just like they work on Wednesday. You can transfer money between your own accounts, send money to someone else's account (if your bank offers that service), pay bills, and check your balance.
The main limitation is timing. If you transfer money to another bank on Sunday evening, that transfer usually will not arrive until Monday or Tuesday. Bill payments scheduled for Sunday may not process until Monday. But the act of doing it — logging in, entering the amount, hitting send — works fine on Sunday.
Online banking is also where you can set up automatic payments and transfers, so you do not have to do anything on Sunday at all. If you know you need to pay rent on the first of the month, you can set that up once and let it happen automatically every month, whether it is Sunday or not.
Credit unions sometimes have longer hours than banks
A credit union is a member-owned financial institution that works similarly to a bank but is structured differently. Credit unions are often smaller and more local than banks. Some credit unions do open on Sundays, particularly in areas with high demand or in credit unions that operate in multiple states.
If you belong to a credit union, check your specific credit union's website or call the branch directly to ask about Sunday hours. Some credit unions are part of shared branching networks, which means you can visit a different credit union's branch on Sunday if your own is closed. Others participate in CO-OP ATM networks, which gives you access to thousands of ATMs nationwide.
Credit unions also tend to have longer phone support hours than traditional banks. If you need to speak to someone on Sunday, your credit union may have a customer service line open, even if the physical branch is closed.
Online-only banks have no physical branches but work 24/7
An online-only bank (sometimes called a digital bank or neobank) has no physical branches at all. Banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and others operate entirely through websites and apps. Because there is no branch to staff, these banks can offer customer service around the clock, including on Sundays.
If you bank with an online-only institution, you can deposit checks through your phone camera, transfer money at any hour, and contact customer service on Sunday. The tradeoff is that you cannot walk into a location and speak to someone face-to-face. Everything happens through your phone or computer.
Online-only banks also tend to offer higher interest rates on savings accounts because they have lower overhead costs. If you do not need a physical branch, they can be a good option.
What to do if you need cash or a deposit on Sunday
If you need to deposit a check on Sunday, use your bank's ATM or mobile app. Most banks let you photograph a check with your phone and deposit it when ready through the app. The funds usually show up in your account within one business day.
If you need cash on Sunday, find an ATM that belongs to your bank or a bank in your bank's ATM network. You can usually find ATM locations on your bank's website or through Google Maps. If you do not have a card, some banks let you withdraw cash using your phone's banking app and a PIN.
If you need to speak to someone on Sunday, call your bank's customer service line. Many banks have phone support on weekends, even if branches are closed. The phone number is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Be prepared to wait longer than you would on a weekday, as fewer staff members are working.
Why most banks do not open on Sundays
Banks made a business decision decades ago that Sunday hours were not worth the cost. Opening a branch requires paying staff, utilities, security, and insurance for an extra day. For most banks, the number of customers who would use a Sunday branch does not generate enough revenue to cover those costs.
This calculation is different for different banks. A bank in a dense urban area with high foot traffic might find Sunday hours profitable. A bank in a small town almost certainly would not. Most banks have decided to invest in ATMs and online banking instead, which serve customers 24/7 without the cost of staffing a physical location.
Some banks have experimented with Sunday hours in specific locations, but these remain exceptions. If you find a bank branch open on Sunday in your area, it is unusual enough to be worth noting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check at an ATM on Sunday?
Yes. Most ATMs accept check deposits 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Insert the check, the machine scans it, and the funds appear in your account within one to two business days. Some banks process Sunday deposits by Monday morning, while others may take until Tuesday.
Do any major banks open on Sunday?
A very small number of branches in major cities may have limited Sunday hours, but this is rare. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other large banks are closed on Sundays at nearly all locations. Check your specific branch's hours on the bank's website to be sure.
What if I need to speak to someone on Sunday?
Call your bank's customer service number, usually found on the back of your debit card or on the bank's website. Many banks have phone support on weekends, though wait times are often longer than on weekdays. Online banks and credit unions are more likely to have Sunday phone support than traditional banks.
Can I transfer money on Sunday?
You can initiate a transfer on Sunday through online banking or your mobile app. However, the money usually will not arrive at the other bank until Monday or Tuesday. Transfers between accounts at the same bank may post faster, sometimes by Sunday evening.
Are there banks that are open 24/7?
No physical bank branches are open 24/7. However, online-only banks offer 24/7 customer service and let you handle most banking tasks at any hour through apps and websites. ATMs are also available 24/7 for cash withdrawals and check deposits.