Most banks and post offices close on Veterans Day, but some branches stay open
Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. On that day, most banks and all post offices run on a federal holiday schedule — meaning they are closed. However, some banks operate limited hours or keep certain branches open, depending on the bank and your location. Post offices do not have this variation: if it is a post office run by the U.S. Postal Service, it will be closed on Veterans Day.
The closure affects mail delivery, check deposits, wire transfers, and in-person transactions. If you need to mail something or access your bank, plan ahead. The day after Veterans Day, normal hours resume.
Key Takeaways
- All U.S. Postal Service locations close on Veterans Day; no mail is delivered that day.
- Most traditional banks close on Veterans Day, but some credit unions and online banks may offer limited services.
- ATMs and online banking remain available on Veterans Day even when physical locations are closed.
- Mail and deposits made on Veterans Day will not process until the next business day.
- Some banks in areas with large military populations may stay open; call your branch ahead of time to confirm.
Post Office closures on Veterans Day
Every U.S. Postal Service location — including post offices, postal annex locations, and mail processing facilities — closes on Veterans Day. This means no mail is collected from mailboxes, no mail is sorted or delivered, and no counter services are available. If you drop mail in a blue collection box on Veterans Day, it will not be picked up until the next business day.
If you need to mail a package or letter, do so the day before Veterans Day. If you are expecting a delivery, it will arrive the day after the holiday. Packages held for pickup at the post office cannot be retrieved on Veterans Day.
Bank closures and limited hours on Veterans Day
Most national and regional banks close entirely on Veterans Day. This includes Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most community banks. However, a small number of banks — particularly those in areas with large military bases or veteran populations — may keep one or two branches open with reduced staff and limited services. These branches typically handle cash withdrawals and deposits only, not loan applications or account changes.
Credit unions vary. Some close on all federal holidays; others remain open or offer limited hours. Call your credit union directly to confirm. Online banks and fintech services like Chime, Ally, and SoFi do not have physical branches, so they do not close, but you cannot visit a location in person.
If your bank does stay open on Veterans Day, hours are usually shorter than normal — often 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. instead of the standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call your branch before you go.
What you can still do on Veterans Day
ATMs work on Veterans Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using any ATM, whether it belongs to your bank or another institution. Some ATMs charge a fee if you use a machine outside your bank's network, but the machine will still function.
Online banking portals and mobile apps remain open. You can check balances, transfer money between your accounts, pay bills, and deposit checks using mobile check deposit (if your bank offers it). You cannot process wire transfers or make changes to account settings on a federal holiday — those require human review and will process the next business day.
Planning ahead for Veterans Day transactions
If you need to mail something, send it on November 10 or earlier. If you need cash, withdraw it before Veterans Day or use an ATM. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile check deposit through your bank's app if available, or deposit it the day after the holiday. Checks deposited on Veterans Day will not clear until the next business day anyway.
Wire transfers, loan applications, and account changes should be handled before November 11. These transactions require staff review and will not process on a federal holiday. If you initiate them on Veterans Day through an online portal, they will sit in queue until the next business day.
If you have a time-sensitive transaction — such as paying a bill by a certain date — do it at least one day before Veterans Day to ensure it processes on time.
What happens to mail and deposits made on Veterans Day
Mail dropped in a collection box on Veterans Day will not be picked up until November 12. If you need something to arrive by a specific date, do not mail it on Veterans Day. Packages shipped via USPS will not move through the system on the holiday.
Checks or documents deposited at an ATM on Veterans Day will be processed the next business day. Mobile check deposits submitted on Veterans Day will also process on November 12. This means if you deposit a check on Veterans Day, the funds may not be available until November 13 or later, depending on your bank's hold policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and in stores on Veterans Day. You can make purchases and withdraw cash. Only in-person services at the bank branch are unavailable.
Will my automatic bill payments go through on Veterans Day?
Automatic payments scheduled for Veterans Day will process, but they may post to your account a day later than usual. If you have a bill due on November 11, schedule the payment for November 10 to be safe.
What if I need to mail something on Veterans Day?
You cannot mail anything through USPS on Veterans Day. Mail it on November 10 or wait until November 12. If you need overnight shipping, use a private carrier like FedEx or UPS, which may operate on Veterans Day depending on the service level.
Are credit unions open on Veterans Day?
Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, but some stay open with limited hours. Call your credit union to confirm. Do not assume it will be open.
Can I deposit a check using my phone on Veterans Day?
Yes. Mobile check deposit through your bank's app works on Veterans Day. The check will be processed the next business day.