The day after Thanksgiving is not a federal bank holiday, and banks remain open for business
The Friday after Thanksgiving—often called Black Friday—is a regular business day for banks and the federal government. While many retail businesses close or operate on reduced hours, banks follow the federal holiday calendar, which does not include the day after Thanksgiving as an official holiday.
This matters if you need to deposit checks, withdraw cash, or conduct other banking transactions on that Friday. Your bank will be open during normal hours, though some branches may have shorter hours or reduced staffing. If you need to reach your bank's customer service line, those lines will also be staffed normally.
Key Takeaways
- Banks are open the day after Thanksgiving because it is not a federal holiday, even though many retail stores close.
- The federal holiday calendar includes Thanksgiving Day itself, but not the following Friday.
- If a federal holiday falls on a Friday, banks close that day—but the day after Thanksgiving is not one of those holidays.
- Check your specific bank's hours, as some branches may operate on reduced schedules during the holiday shopping weekend.
- If you need to make time-sensitive deposits or transfers, plan to visit on Thursday or earlier in the week.
Why retail closures don't mean banks close
The confusion often comes from seeing major retailers shut down on Black Friday. Retail businesses set their own holiday schedules and often close on days that are not federal holidays. Banks, by contrast, follow the federal holiday calendar set by the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve.
The federal government recognizes 11 permanent holidays each year: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The day after Thanksgiving does not appear on this list.
What happens if you need banking services that day
You can visit your bank branch in person on the day after Thanksgiving during regular business hours. Most banks operate normally, though some locations in shopping centers or malls may have adjusted hours due to the holiday shopping weekend. Call your branch ahead of time if you are unsure about its schedule.
Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs work 24/7 regardless of whether it is a holiday. If you need to transfer money, check your balance, or pay bills, you can do all of that from your phone or computer without visiting a branch.
How the federal holiday calendar affects banking
When the federal government declares a day a holiday, banks must close. This affects when deposits are processed, when wire transfers clear, and when customer service lines are staffed. If you deposit a check on a federal holiday, it will not be processed until the next business day.
Thanksgiving Day itself is a federal holiday, so banks close on Thursday. If you need to make deposits or conduct business, do so on Wednesday or wait until Friday. The same rule applies to any other federal holiday that falls on a weekday.
Planning around the Thanksgiving banking weekend
If you have time-sensitive transactions—such as a check that needs to clear by a certain date—plan ahead. Deposits made on Friday after Thanksgiving will typically process on Monday, since the weekend follows immediately. If the deadline is Monday, deposit on Wednesday instead.
For wire transfers and other time-critical payments, call your bank to confirm processing times during the holiday weekend. Some banks process wires on Friday even though it is not a holiday, while others may have reduced staffing that slows the process.
State and local holidays don't affect federal banks
Some states or cities observe holidays that the federal government does not. For example, some states recognize Robert E. Lee's birthday or other regional observances. These state and local holidays do not close federal banks.
If you bank at a credit union or a state-chartered bank, check whether it observes any state-specific holidays. Most do not, but it is worth confirming if you have a transaction planned for a day that might be a state holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit process on the day after Thanksgiving?
Yes. Direct deposits process normally on Friday after Thanksgiving because banks are open. If your employer sends payroll on Friday, it should arrive in your account by end of business that day or early Monday morning, depending on your bank's processing schedule.
Can I use my ATM on the day after Thanksgiving?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7 on all days, including holidays and the day after Thanksgiving. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and make deposits at an ATM regardless of whether the bank branch is open.
What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on Friday after Thanksgiving?
Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch during its regular hours. Most banks staff their phone lines normally on the day after Thanksgiving. If your branch has reduced hours, the main customer service line will direct you to another location or help you over the phone.
Do credit unions close on the day after Thanksgiving?
Most credit unions follow the federal holiday calendar and remain open on the day after Thanksgiving, just like banks. However, some credit unions may close if they observe additional holidays. Contact your credit union directly to confirm its hours.
If Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, is Friday always open for banking?
Yes. Thanksgiving is always observed on the fourth Thursday of November, so the day after is always Friday. Banks are open that Friday because it is not a federal holiday, regardless of which year it is.