Most banks and post offices close on Columbus Day, but the rules differ by location and institution
Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October. On that day, federal banks close, the U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail, and most post office branches shut down. However, some banks—particularly credit unions and smaller regional institutions—stay open, and a few post offices in certain states remain operational because those states do not observe Columbus Day as a holiday.
The closure affects you most if you need to deposit checks, withdraw cash, or mail time-sensitive documents. Wire transfers and online banking continue to work, but posted transactions may not process until the next business day. If you have a payment due on Columbus Day, it will not post until Tuesday.
Key Takeaways
- Federal banks and U.S. Postal Service locations close on Columbus Day, but credit unions and some private banks may stay open depending on their own policies.
- Mail does not move through the postal system on Columbus Day, so packages and letters will not be sorted or delivered that day.
- Online banking, ATMs, and bill pay systems continue to work on the holiday, though transactions may not post until the next business day.
- A handful of states do not observe Columbus Day, so post offices and some banks in those states may operate normally.
- Checking your specific bank's or post office's holiday schedule before Columbus Day prevents missed deadlines and failed transactions.
Which banks close on Columbus Day
Federal banks—those chartered by the federal government and members of the Federal Reserve system—must close on Columbus Day. This includes most large national banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Citibank. Their branches will not open for in-person service, and tellers will not be available.
Credit unions and smaller regional banks operate under different rules. Some close on Columbus Day because they choose to follow the federal holiday calendar. Others stay open because they set their own schedules. Call your bank or check its website before Columbus Day to confirm whether your branch will be open. Many banks post holiday hours online a week or two in advance.
ATMs and online banking platforms remain active on Columbus Day. You can withdraw cash, transfer money between accounts, and pay bills through your bank's website or app. Transactions initiated on the holiday will typically post the next business day.
What happens to the U.S. Postal Service on Columbus Day
All U.S. Postal Service locations close on Columbus Day. No mail is collected from mailboxes, sorted at distribution centers, or delivered to addresses. If you drop a letter in a mailbox on Columbus Day, it will sit there until Tuesday morning when postal workers resume collection.
This matters if you are mailing a check or time-sensitive document. If the deadline is Columbus Day itself, the mail will not arrive in time. Plan ahead by mailing items at least two business days before the holiday, or use a private carrier like UPS or FedEx, which often operate on Columbus Day (though you should confirm with your local facility).
Priority Mail Express and other expedited services do not move on Columbus Day either. A package marked for delivery on the holiday will arrive the next business day instead.
States where Columbus Day is not observed
A small number of states do not recognize Columbus Day as a paid holiday. In these states, post offices and banks may operate on a normal schedule, though federal offices still close. The states that do not observe Columbus Day are Hawaii, Alaska, South Dakota, and parts of Nevada and California.
If you live in one of these states, your local post office may be open on Columbus Day, but you should still call ahead to confirm. Some post offices in these states choose to close anyway for operational reasons, even though the state does not mandate it. Federal banks will still close regardless of state policy, because they follow the federal holiday calendar.
How to plan around bank and post office closures
Check your bank's website or call the branch directly to confirm its Columbus Day hours. Most banks publish holiday schedules online at least a week before the holiday. Look for a link labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Hours" on the homepage.
For the post office, visit USPS.com and enter your ZIP code to find your local branch. The website will show whether your location is open on Columbus Day. If you need to mail something, do it on Friday or Monday before the holiday. If you need cash or must make a deposit, plan to visit your bank on Friday.
Set reminders for bills due around Columbus Day. If a payment is due on the holiday itself, send it by the Friday before so it posts on time. Online bill pay systems process on schedule, but checks mailed on Columbus Day will not arrive until Wednesday.
What still works on Columbus Day
Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs operate 24/7, including on Columbus Day. You can transfer money, pay bills, check balances, and withdraw cash without visiting a branch or post office. Transactions initiated on the holiday will post the next business day.
Private shipping carriers like UPS and FedEx often deliver on Columbus Day, though some locations may have reduced hours. Call your local facility or check their websites to confirm. Email and digital payment systems like Venmo, PayPal, and bank transfers continue to work normally.
If you have an urgent banking need on Columbus Day, look for banks that stay open—some credit unions and regional banks operate on the holiday. You can also visit an ATM to withdraw cash or use your bank's app to handle most transactions remotely.
What to do if you miss a deadline because of the closure
If a bill payment or deposit deadline falls on Columbus Day, contact the creditor or institution immediately. Many companies automatically extend deadlines when they fall on a federal holiday. Explain that you intended to pay or deposit before the holiday but the closure prevented it.
For mortgage payments, property tax, or other critical obligations, call the lender or agency the day before Columbus Day to ask about their policy. Some accept payments on the holiday through online systems even if their offices are closed. Others will waive late fees if you can show you attempted to pay before the holiday.
If a check you mailed arrives late because of the postal closure, include a copy of the envelope with the postmark when you submit it. This documents that you mailed it on time, even if it arrived after the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM on Columbus Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7, including on Columbus Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between accounts. The ATM will not be affected by the bank closure.
Will my online bill payment go through on Columbus Day?
Yes, you can schedule bill payments through your bank's website or app on Columbus Day. The payment will process, but it may not post to the creditor's account until the next business day. Plan ahead if the due date is the holiday itself.
What if I need to mail something on Columbus Day?
The post office will be closed and mail will not be collected. Use a private carrier like UPS or FedEx if they are open in your area, or wait until Tuesday to mail it. If the deadline is Columbus Day, mail it on Friday or use an overnight service.
Do credit unions close on Columbus Day?
Most credit unions close on Columbus Day, but some stay open. Call your credit union directly or check its website to confirm. Credit unions set their own holiday schedules, so policies vary by institution.
Will my paycheck deposit on Columbus Day?
Direct deposit continues to work on Columbus Day. Your employer's payroll system will send the deposit, and it will post to your account by the next business day. You do not need to do anything—the deposit happens automatically.