What counts as a bank holiday
A bank holiday is a day when most U.S. banks close and do not process transactions. The federal government recognizes ten official holidays each year, and banks observe all of them. On these days, you cannot deposit checks, withdraw cash at a teller window, or conduct wire transfers through a bank branch.
The ten federal holidays are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Some banks also close on the day after Thanksgiving.
Bank holidays are different from stock market holidays. The stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) closes on federal holidays but also on a few days banks stay open, such as the day after Thanksgiving. If you trade stocks or need market access, check the exchange calendar separately.
Key Takeaways
- The ten federal bank holidays are fixed each year, and most U.S. banks close on all of them.
- You can still use ATMs and mobile banking on bank holidays, but teller services and wire transfers do not process until the next business day.
- Some states and regions observe additional holidays beyond the federal ten, and a few banks may close on those days as well.
- If a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically observe it on the nearest weekday instead.
How to check if your bank is closed today
The fastest way is to call your bank's main number or visit their website. Most banks display holiday hours on their homepage or in the mobile app. You can also look at your bank's branch locator tool, which usually shows whether individual branches are open or closed.
If you need to know in advance, the federal holiday calendar is published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and does not change year to year. You can bookmark it or set phone reminders for holidays that matter to you—especially if you regularly send wire transfers or deposit checks on tight deadlines.
What you can and cannot do on a bank holiday
ATMs work on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using the ATM or your bank's mobile app. Online banking platforms stay open, so you can view statements, pay bills, and set up transfers that will process the next business day.
What does not work: depositing checks at a teller window, requesting a cashier's check, speaking to a loan officer, or sending wire transfers that need to clear the same day. If you deposit a check at an ATM on a holiday, it will be processed the next business day. Wire transfers initiated on a holiday typically do not leave your account until the following business day.
Credit card payments and bill payments you schedule online will process on the next business day if you submit them on a holiday. Some banks allow you to schedule transactions in advance, so you can set up a payment before the holiday and have it go through automatically.
When holidays fall on weekends
If a federal holiday lands on a Saturday, most banks observe it on Friday instead. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, banks observe it on Monday. This means you may see a bank closed on a Friday or Monday that is not the actual holiday date.
The Office of Personnel Management publishes the observed date for each holiday each year. For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, federal offices and most banks close on Friday, July 3. Check your bank's website or call ahead if you are unsure which day they will be closed.
State and regional holidays
Some states observe additional holidays beyond the federal ten. For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, and a few states recognize Cesar Chavez Day. Banks in those states may close on those days as well, though it varies by bank and location.
If you live in or do business with a bank in a state that observes extra holidays, ask your bank directly which days they close. A bank's main office might close on a state holiday while a branch in another state stays open. The safest approach is to check with your specific branch rather than assume based on the federal calendar alone.
Planning around bank holidays
If you need to deposit a check or send a wire transfer, do it at least one business day before a holiday. For example, if a holiday falls on Monday, complete your transaction by Friday. If you miss the window, your transaction will not process until the day after the holiday.
For recurring payments or bill payments, set them up to process on a regular business day rather than near a holiday. If you know you will need cash over a holiday weekend, withdraw it the day before. Many people also use online bill pay or automatic transfers to avoid timing issues altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on bank holidays. Your bank's systems stay running, so you can make purchases and withdraw cash. Transfers between accounts and bill payments you initiate will process the next business day.
Do credit unions close on bank holidays?
Most credit unions close on the same federal holidays as banks. Some credit unions may have different hours or observe additional holidays. Call your credit union directly to confirm their holiday schedule, as it can vary by location and institution.
What if I need to deposit a check on a holiday?
Use your bank's mobile app or ATM to deposit the check. It will be processed the next business day. If your bank does not offer mobile check deposit, wait until the next business day to visit a branch or ATM.
Do wire transfers go through on bank holidays?
No. Wire transfers initiated on a bank holiday do not leave your account or reach the recipient until the next business day. If you need a wire to arrive by a specific date, send it at least one business day before that date.
Is the stock market open when banks are closed?
No. The stock market closes on all federal holidays. It also closes on the day after Thanksgiving, when most banks stay open. Check the NYSE or NASDAQ holiday calendar if you trade stocks.