Most U.S. banks close on Good Friday, but not all of them
Good Friday is a federal holiday, which means the Federal Reserve and most major banks shut down for the day. If your bank is part of the Federal Reserve system — which includes nearly all national and state banks — you will not be able to visit a branch, use ATMs at that branch, or reach customer service by phone on Good Friday. However, some credit unions, online-only banks, and smaller regional institutions stay open, so you need to check with your specific bank before the holiday.
The closure affects in-person services and phone support, but online banking and mobile apps usually remain available. You can still check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up payments from home. ATMs at your bank's branches will be offline, but ATMs in other networks — like Allpoint or MoneyPass — may still work if your bank participates in those networks. Checks deposited on Good Friday will not clear until the following business day, and wire transfers or ACH payments will not process until Monday or later.
Key Takeaways
- Federal Reserve member banks close their branches and phone lines on Good Friday, though online banking typically stays open.
- Credit unions and online-only banks may have different schedules, so contact yours directly to confirm whether it will be closed.
- ATMs at your bank's branches will be down, but you can use ATMs in other networks if your bank is part of them.
- Checks deposited on Good Friday will not clear until the following business day, so plan accordingly if you need the funds quickly.
- Wire transfers and ACH payments initiated on Good Friday may not process until Monday or Tuesday, depending on your bank's system.
Which banks are definitely closed on Good Friday
All national banks — those with "National Bank" or "N.A." in their name — close on Good Friday because they are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and follow the Federal Reserve holiday calendar. This includes major chains like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, and U.S. Bank. State-chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve system also close, though some state-chartered banks that are not Federal Reserve members may stay open.
The Federal Reserve itself does not process payments on Good Friday, which means wire transfers, ACH transfers, and check clearing all pause. Even if your bank's online system lets you initiate a transfer on Good Friday, it will not actually move until the next business day — usually Monday, since the day after Good Friday is not a business day for the Federal Reserve. This delay affects not only your bank but every bank in the country that participates in the Federal Reserve system.
Banks and credit unions that may stay open
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover Bank typically remain open on Good Friday because they have no physical branches to close. You can still log in, transfer money, and conduct business as usual through their websites and apps. However, customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be closed entirely, so check their website before the holiday if you need to speak with someone.
Credit unions operate under different rules than banks. Some credit unions follow the Federal Reserve holiday calendar and close on Good Friday, while others stay open. The only way to know is to contact your credit union directly or check their website. If your credit union is part of a larger network like CO-OP or Allpoint, you may be able to use shared branches or ATMs on Good Friday even if your home branch is closed.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
Online banking and mobile apps stay open, so you can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up payments or transfers. However, those transfers will not actually process until the next business day. In-person branch visits, phone customer service, and ATMs at your bank's physical locations will all be offline.
Your debit card works normally at any merchant or ATM that accepts it, regardless of whether your bank is closed. You can withdraw cash at ATMs in other networks, get cash back at stores, and make purchases anywhere. The only service that stops is access to your bank's own branch and phone lines. Here is what happens with specific transaction types:
| Service | Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online banking login | Yes | Check balances and transfer between your own accounts |
| Mobile app access | Yes | Same functions as online banking |
| Branch visit | No | All Federal Reserve member bank branches are closed |
| ATM at your bank's branch | No | Branch ATMs go offline with the branch |
| ATM in other networks | Maybe | Depends on whether your bank participates in Allpoint, MoneyPass, or other networks |
| Phone customer service | No | Most banks have no phone support on federal holidays |
| Wire transfer initiation | Yes (online) | Transfer will not process until Monday or later |
| Check deposit | Yes (mobile or ATM) | Check will not clear until the next business day |
| ACH or bill payment setup | Yes (online) | Payment will not process until Monday or later |
How to prepare before Good Friday
Withdraw cash from an ATM on Thursday if you know you will need it on Friday. Use a network ATM — one that is not at your bank's branch — to avoid being locked out. If you are not sure which ATMs your bank supports, log into your online banking or call customer service on Thursday and ask for a list of ATM networks you can access.
If you need to deposit a check, use mobile check deposit through your bank's app on Thursday evening or Friday morning. The check will not clear until the next business day anyway, so there is no advantage to waiting. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, you can deposit at an ATM on Friday if the ATM is part of a network your bank participates in — but confirm this before the holiday.
Do not count on wire transfers or ACH payments going through on Good Friday. If you need money to move by a specific date, initiate the transfer on Thursday. The same applies to bill payments: set them up on Thursday so they process on Friday or Monday, depending on your bank's schedule and the payee's processing time.
What happens to checks and transfers on Good Friday
A check you deposit on Good Friday will not clear until at least Monday, and possibly Tuesday if your bank processes deposits in batches. The Federal Reserve does not clear checks on federal holidays, so even if you deposit through a mobile app or ATM on Friday, the funds will sit in a holding status until the next business day. This is true whether you deposit at a branch, ATM, or through your phone.
Wire transfers initiated on Good Friday will not leave your account until Monday at the earliest. ACH transfers — the system used for direct deposits, bill payments, and transfers between banks — also pause on federal holidays. If you initiate an ACH transfer on Friday, it will be queued and process on Monday, which means the receiving bank will not see the money until Tuesday or Wednesday depending on their processing schedule.
How to learn about your specific bank is closed
The fastest way is to visit your bank's website and search for "Good Friday hours" or "holiday hours." Most banks post their holiday schedule in the fall and keep it updated. You can also call customer service on Thursday and ask directly. If you bank with a credit union, call your branch or check the credit union's website — credit union holiday schedules vary widely.
If you cannot reach anyone by phone, send an email to customer service on Thursday asking about Good Friday hours. Include your account number or the branch you use most often so they can give you accurate information. Many banks also post holiday information on their mobile app under "Help" or "Contact Us." This is especially important if you use a smaller regional bank or credit union, since their policies may differ from the major national chains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM that accepts it, regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The only limitation is that ATMs at your bank's physical branches will be offline. You can use debit cards at stores, restaurants, and ATMs in other networks without any problem.
Will my direct deposit come through on Good Friday?
Direct deposits scheduled for Good Friday may arrive on Thursday or may be delayed until Monday, depending on your employer's payroll system and your bank's processing schedule. Contact your employer's payroll department on Thursday to confirm when they are sending the deposit. If it is scheduled for Friday, ask whether it will process on Thursday instead.
What if I need cash and the ATM is not working?
Withdraw cash on Thursday before the holiday. If you forget and need cash on Friday, use an ATM that is not at your bank's branch — look for ATMs at grocery stores, convenience stores, or other banks that participate in shared networks. You can also use your debit card to get cash back at any store that offers it.
Do online banks like PayPal or Venmo close on Good Friday?
PayPal and Venmo remain open on Good Friday, but transfers to your bank account may be delayed. If you transfer money from PayPal to your bank on Friday, it will not arrive until Monday or Tuesday because the receiving bank is closed. Transfers between PayPal users or Venmo users happen instantly, but moving money in or out of the banking system is delayed.
Can I pay my credit card bill on Good Friday?
You can set up a payment online on Good Friday, but it will not process until Monday. To avoid a late payment, set it up on Thursday. If your payment is already late, call the credit card company on Thursday to ask about a grace period or to make a payment over the phone before the holiday.