How to learn about this Friday is a holiday

The fastest way is to check the U.S. Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar at federalreserve.gov, which lists every day banks close for federal holidays. You can also search "federal holidays 2024" or "federal holidays 2025" (depending on the current year) and look for the specific date. If you need to know whether a particular bank closes on a given Friday, call that bank directly — some observe holidays on different days than the federal government does, or stay open when federal offices close.

Most federal holidays fall on the same dates every year, but some move to the nearest Monday or Friday. Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May. Labor Day is always the first Monday in September. Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November. If you know which holiday might fall on this Friday, you can check whether it's been observed on that date this year.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Reserve website shows which days banks close for federal holidays, updated for the current year.
  • Some holidays move to Monday or Friday; others stay on the same date regardless of the day of the week.
  • Banks may observe holidays on different days than federal offices, so calling your bank directly gives you the most accurate answer for your account.
  • If a Friday is a holiday, most banks will be closed and you won't be able to make deposits, withdrawals, or transfers in person.
  • ATM and online banking usually work on federal holidays even when branches are closed.

The federal holidays banks observe

Banks close on ten federal holidays each year. New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), and Christmas Day (December 25) are all days when most U.S. banks shut their branches.

Some of these dates move around. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the Federal Reserve may observe it on Friday or Monday instead. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday. If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday. The Federal Reserve announces these observed dates each year, and they apply to most banks nationwide.

Why your bank might close on a different day

Not every bank follows the Federal Reserve's schedule exactly. Some state-chartered banks, credit unions, and smaller institutions observe state holidays in addition to federal ones, or they may close on different days for religious observances. A few banks stay open on certain federal holidays or close on days others don't.

The safest approach is to check your own bank's holiday schedule. Most banks publish this on their website under "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule." You can also call your branch directly and ask whether they're open this Friday. If you use online banking or an ATM, those services usually work regardless of whether the branch is physically open.

What happens to deposits and transfers on a bank holiday

If you deposit a check or transfer money on a Friday that is a federal holiday, the transaction typically won't process until the next business day. Some banks may hold the deposit longer if it arrives late in the day before a holiday. If you need money by a specific date, plan ahead and deposit or transfer before the holiday begins.

Direct deposits from employers or government payments (like tax refunds or Social Security) may also be delayed if they're scheduled to arrive on a holiday. The money usually posts the next business day instead. If you're expecting a payment and Friday is a holiday, check with your employer or the paying agency to confirm when it will arrive.

ATM and online banking on holidays

ATMs work 24/7 on federal holidays, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance anytime. Online banking portals and mobile apps also stay open, so you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or check transactions from home. However, transfers to other banks or bill payments may not process until the next business day if you submit them on a holiday.

If you need to speak to a customer service representative, you'll have to wait until the bank reopens. Most banks offer phone support on holidays, but response times may be longer. Check your bank's website or app for holiday hours before you call.

Planning around holiday closures

If this Friday is a holiday and you need to handle banking in person, plan to visit your branch on Thursday instead. If you need to deposit a check, do it before the holiday so it clears on time. If you're expecting a payment, assume it won't arrive until Monday or Tuesday if the Friday is a holiday.

For time-sensitive financial matters — like paying a bill that's due Friday or depositing a check you need to clear quickly — contact your bank or the organization you're paying to confirm how the holiday affects the timeline. Many businesses and government agencies adjust their deadlines when they fall on a holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my direct deposit come through on a Friday that's a federal holiday?

Usually not. Direct deposits scheduled for a holiday typically arrive the next business day instead. If you're expecting a paycheck or government payment on a Friday holiday, plan for it to arrive Monday. Contact your employer or the paying agency if you need to confirm the exact date.

Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs work around the clock on holidays, and debit cards work at stores and online. You just won't be able to visit a physical bank branch or speak to a teller. Online banking and mobile apps also stay open.

What if I need to deposit a check before the holiday?

Deposit it on Thursday or earlier in the week. If you deposit on Friday and Friday is a holiday, the check won't process until Monday at the earliest. Some banks also offer mobile check deposit through their app, which you can use anytime.

Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?

Most do, but not all. Some credit unions and state banks observe additional holidays or close on different days. Check your specific bank's holiday schedule on their website or call your branch to be sure.

How do I know which holidays my bank observes?

Visit your bank's website and look for "Holiday Hours" or "Holiday Schedule." You can also call your branch and ask directly. The Federal Reserve's website lists the standard federal holidays most banks observe nationwide.