Most banks close on Presidents Day, but some branches and online services stay available
Presidents Day falls on the third Monday in February. On this day, most major banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank — close their physical branches. Federal Reserve operations also shut down, which means wire transfers and ACH payments do not process.
However, your ability to access money does not stop completely. ATMs work on Presidents Day because they run 24/7 regardless of bank holidays. Online banking platforms stay open, so you can check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up bill payments. Mobile apps function normally. The catch is that any transaction requiring human processing — a teller, a loan officer, or a wire department — will not complete until the next business day.
Credit unions follow the same pattern as banks: most close their branches but keep ATMs and online services running. However, some credit unions operate on different holiday schedules, so calling ahead is worth the effort if you need to know for certain.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Presidents Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available all day.
- Wire transfers, ACH payments, and check deposits do not process on Presidents Day — they clear the next business day.
- Some banks operate limited-hours branches or Saturday hours; calling your specific branch is the only way to confirm.
- Credit unions typically follow the same holiday schedule as banks, though a few operate independently.
What you can and cannot do on Presidents Day
ATMs dispense cash and accept deposits on Presidents Day just as they do any other day. Deposits made at an ATM will be processed the next business day, not immediately. If you need cash before the holiday, withdraw it beforehand.
Online banking lets you move money between your own accounts, pay bills to merchants, and view your balance. These transactions may not settle until the next business day, but you can initiate them. Mobile check deposit — taking a photo of a check through your bank's app — also works on Presidents Day, though the check clears the next business day.
Wire transfers, ACH transfers to other people's accounts, and any transaction that requires a bank employee will not process until Tuesday. If you are expecting a wire transfer to arrive on Presidents Day, it will arrive on Tuesday instead. The same applies to loan applications, account disputes, and requests to increase your credit limit.
Which banks might stay partially open
A small number of banks operate limited hours on Presidents Day or keep select branches open. This is rare and varies by location. Chase, for example, closes nearly all branches on Presidents Day, but a handful of branches in major cities sometimes stay open for limited hours — usually 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bank of America follows the same pattern in a few locations.
The only reliable way to know whether your specific branch is open is to call ahead or check your bank's website. Search "[Your Bank Name] Presidents Day hours" or call the branch directly. Do not assume your branch is open based on what happened last year — schedules change.
Some banks that operate in multiple states may observe Presidents Day differently depending on state law. A few states do not recognize Presidents Day as a holiday, so banks in those states may operate normally. This is uncommon but worth checking if you live near a state border.
When wire transfers and payments actually clear
If you send a wire transfer on Friday before Presidents Day, it clears Friday. If you send one on Presidents Day itself, it clears on Tuesday. The same rule applies to ACH transfers — the bank does not process them on the holiday, so they move to the next business day.
Bill payments scheduled for Presidents Day may process on that day if you set them up through your bank's bill pay system, but the funds will not leave your account until Tuesday. Check deposits made on Presidents Day are not processed until Tuesday, which means the funds are not available until Wednesday at the earliest — sometimes longer depending on your bank's policy.
If you are expecting a paycheck via direct deposit on Presidents Day, it will arrive on Tuesday instead. Employers typically submit payroll the day before, so if Presidents Day falls on a Monday, the payroll processes on Friday and deposits on Tuesday.
Credit unions and Presidents Day
Most credit unions close on Presidents Day and follow the same schedule as banks. However, some credit unions — particularly smaller ones or those in states that do not recognize the holiday — stay open. A few large credit unions like Navy Federal and Alliant operate limited hours on Presidents Day rather than closing entirely.
Credit union ATMs work on Presidents Day regardless of branch status. Online banking and mobile apps function normally. If you belong to a credit union and need to know whether your branch is open, call the branch or check the website — do not assume based on what other financial institutions do.
Planning ahead to avoid delays
If you need cash on Presidents Day, withdraw it on Friday or over the weekend. If you need to deposit a check, use an ATM or mobile deposit on Presidents Day, but understand that it will not clear until Tuesday or later. If you are sending a wire transfer and need it to arrive by a specific date, send it before the holiday.
Paycheck direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day will arrive on Tuesday. If you have bills due on Presidents Day, pay them online through your bank's bill pay system on Friday or earlier — do not wait until Monday. Set up automatic payments for recurring bills so you do not have to think about holiday schedules.
If you have a time-sensitive banking need — a loan decision, a dispute resolution, or a credit limit increase — handle it before the holiday. Banks do not process these requests on Presidents Day, so waiting until Monday means waiting until at least Wednesday for a response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from an ATM on Presidents Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on Presidents Day just like any other day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks or cash at ATMs even though bank branches are closed.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Presidents Day?
No. If your paycheck is scheduled to deposit on Presidents Day (a Monday), it will arrive on Tuesday instead. Employers submit payroll the day before, so the deposit processes the next business day after the holiday.
What happens if I send a wire transfer on Presidents Day?
The wire will not process until Tuesday. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, send the wire on Friday or earlier. Once the holiday passes, the wire clears the next business day as usual.
Are credit unions open on Presidents Day?
Most credit unions close on Presidents Day, but some operate limited hours or stay open entirely. Call your credit union to confirm. ATMs and online banking work on Presidents Day regardless of branch status.
Can I deposit a check on Presidents Day?
Yes, through an ATM or mobile app. The check will not clear until Tuesday or later. If you need the funds immediately, you cannot get them on Presidents Day — the bank does not process deposits on holidays.