Columbus Day is a federal holiday, but most banks stay open
Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, is a federal holiday — which means federal offices close and federal employees get the day off. However, most banks remain open on Columbus Day. Your local bank branch may have regular hours, reduced hours, or be closed depending on the bank's own policy, not federal law.
The confusion happens because federal holiday status does not automatically close banks. Banks are regulated by the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and they decide which holidays to observe. Many banks treat Columbus Day as a regular business day, though some regional or smaller banks may close.
If you need to conduct banking business on Columbus Day, call your branch ahead of time or check your bank's website. Do not assume it will be closed just because it is a federal holiday.
Key Takeaways
- Columbus Day is a federal holiday, but federal holiday status does not require banks to close.
- Most major banks stay open on Columbus Day with regular or slightly reduced hours.
- Some regional banks and credit unions may close on Columbus Day, so you should check with your institution directly.
- ATMs and online banking work on Columbus Day regardless of branch hours.
- If you have a time-sensitive transaction, plan ahead and contact your bank before the holiday.
Which banks close on Columbus Day
Major national banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank — typically stay open on Columbus Day. Some operate with reduced hours or limited staff, but you can usually visit a branch or use an ATM.
Smaller regional banks and credit unions are more likely to close on Columbus Day. Community banks in particular often observe the holiday. If your bank is not a major national chain, contact them directly to confirm their Columbus Day hours.
The best way to know for certain is to visit your bank's website and search for holiday hours, or call the branch you plan to visit. Most banks post their holiday schedule online in September or early October.
What you can and cannot do on Columbus Day
If your bank is closed on Columbus Day, you can still access your money through an ATM, transfer funds online, pay bills through your bank's website or app, and deposit checks using mobile deposit. These services run 24/7 regardless of branch hours.
What you cannot do is speak to a teller, apply for a loan in person, resolve account issues that require a representative, or conduct transactions that need a signature. If you need any of these services, you will have to wait until the next business day.
Wire transfers initiated through online banking may process on Columbus Day depending on your bank, but transfers initiated at a closed branch will not process until the next business day. Check with your bank if timing is critical.
Planning ahead for Columbus Day transactions
If you know you will need to visit your bank on or around Columbus Day, plan for it the week before. Deposit checks, withdraw cash, or handle account changes while the branch is open. This prevents delays if your branch closes on the holiday.
For time-sensitive transactions like loan applications, mortgage closings, or account disputes, schedule them for the day before Columbus Day or the day after. Waiting until the last minute often means waiting an extra day.
If you are expecting a deposit or payment around Columbus Day, remember that banks do not process transactions on federal holidays. A deposit scheduled for Columbus Day will not clear until the next business day, which may affect when you can access the funds.
How Columbus Day affects other financial services
Stock markets close on Columbus Day. If you trade stocks or have pending buy or sell orders, they will not execute until the market reopens on Tuesday. Brokerage firms and investment services follow stock market hours, not bank hours.
Insurance companies, credit card companies, and loan servicers typically operate normally on Columbus Day, though customer service phone lines may have reduced staffing. Online payments and account management work as usual.
Government offices that handle Social Security, tax refunds, and other federal payments are closed on Columbus Day, but direct deposits scheduled for that day will still post to your bank account on the normal schedule.
State and local variations
Some states do not observe Columbus Day as a paid holiday for state employees. Hawaii, Alaska, South Dakota, and some other states have replaced it with alternative holidays or do not recognize it at all. However, this does not affect whether banks close — banks follow federal banking regulations, not state holiday calendars.
A few states have renamed the holiday Indigenous Peoples' Day, but the date and federal status remain the same. Banks in those states still follow the same rules as banks elsewhere.
Local government offices may have different hours than federal offices. If you need to visit a city or county office on Columbus Day, check that office's website for its specific holiday schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check at an ATM on Columbus Day?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7, including Columbus Day. Mobile deposit through your bank's app also works anytime. The deposit will be processed and credited to your account on the next business day, which is Tuesday if Columbus Day falls on a Monday.
Will my direct deposit post on Columbus Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for Columbus Day will post to your account on that day, even though the bank branch is closed. The Federal Reserve processes direct deposits on federal holidays. You will see the money in your account on Columbus Day morning.
What if I need to wire money on Columbus Day?
If you initiate a wire transfer through your bank's online platform before the branch closes, it may process on Columbus Day depending on the receiving bank. Wires initiated at a closed branch will not process until the next business day. Call your bank ahead of time if the timing is urgent.
Do credit card payments process on Columbus Day?
Online credit card payments submitted through your card issuer's website or app will be recorded on Columbus Day, though the actual processing may take until the next business day. Payments mailed to the card company will not be received until after the holiday.
Is Columbus Day a holiday for the stock market?
Yes. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ both close on Columbus Day. Any stock trades or investment transactions you attempt will not execute until the market reopens on Tuesday.