How to learn about today is a bank holiday
The fastest way is to check the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar at federalreserve.gov, which lists every day banks close for federal holidays. You can also call your own bank's customer service line — they will tell you immediately whether they are open today. If you need to know right now, your bank's mobile app or website usually shows holiday closures in the account dashboard or under "Hours & Locations."
The U.S. observes 11 federal holidays when most banks close. Some banks also close on additional state holidays depending on where they operate, so a bank in Texas might close on a day when a bank in New York stays open. The day you are checking might be a holiday in some states but not others.
If you are trying to deposit a check, transfer money, or reach customer service today, knowing whether your bank is closed matters immediately. A closed bank will not process transactions until the next business day, even if you submit them online.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve publishes the official list of federal bank holidays at federalreserve.gov, updated each year.
- Your bank may close on state holidays in addition to federal holidays, so calling your specific bank is the most reliable check.
- Banks close on 11 federal holidays: New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- Online banking platforms usually show holiday closures in the app or website, often under account settings or branch hours.
- Transactions submitted on a bank holiday will process the next business day, not immediately.
The 11 federal bank holidays and when they fall
Banks close on these 11 days every year. Some fall on the same date; others move to the nearest Monday or Friday depending on the year.
| Holiday | When It Falls |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Third Monday in January |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead. When it falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday. This means the actual closure day can shift by one day depending on the year.
State holidays that may close your bank
Beyond the 11 federal holidays, individual states observe their own holidays, and banks operating in those states often close. For example, some banks in Texas close on Texas Independence Day (March 2), and banks in Hawaii close on Prince Kuhio Day (March 26). A bank with branches across multiple states may close on different days in different locations.
If your bank has branches in only one state, check that state's official holiday calendar. If it operates nationwide or in multiple states, your bank's website will list which holidays affect which branches. The safest approach is to call your specific branch or check your bank's app, since policies vary.
Why banks close on holidays and what stays open
Banks close on federal holidays because the Federal Reserve does not operate, which means the banking system itself shuts down. Checks cannot clear, wire transfers cannot process, and the interbank payment network goes offline. Individual banks cannot process these transactions even if they wanted to.
What does stay open: ATMs run 24/7 on holidays, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance. Online banking platforms let you view accounts, set up bill payments, and transfer money between your own accounts. However, transfers to other banks and bill payments scheduled for a holiday will process the next business day.
If you need cash or have an urgent banking need on a holiday, ATMs are your only option. Branches will not reopen until the next business day.
How to plan ahead if today is a bank holiday
If you discover today is a bank holiday and you need to deposit a check, the check will not clear until the next business day. Mobile deposit through your bank's app works on holidays — you can photograph and submit the check — but the bank will not process it until the next day the bank is open.
If you need to make a payment to avoid a late fee, call the company you owe money to and explain the bank holiday. Many creditors and service providers know banks are closed and will not penalize you for a one-day delay caused by a federal holiday. Get the name of the person you spoke to and ask them to note it in your account.
For wire transfers or time-sensitive transactions, plan to complete them the business day before a holiday. Once a holiday arrives, the banking system is offline and nothing moves until it reopens.
Checking your specific bank's holiday schedule
Every major bank publishes its own holiday schedule because some banks close on additional days beyond the federal 11. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and smaller regional banks all post their schedules online.
To find your bank's schedule: go to your bank's website, search for "holiday hours" or "bank holidays," and look for the current year's list. Most banks show which branches close on which days. If your bank has branches in multiple states, the schedule will break down by state or region.
You can also call your bank's main customer service line and ask directly: "Is my branch open today?" They will answer in seconds. This is the most reliable method if you are unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7 on bank holidays, and debit cards work at any merchant that accepts them. You cannot visit a branch or speak to a teller, but you can withdraw cash, check your balance, and make purchases anywhere cards are accepted.
If I deposit a check on a bank holiday using mobile deposit, when will it clear?
The bank will process the mobile deposit the next business day after the holiday. If you submit it on a Friday that is a holiday, it will not clear until Monday. Standard mobile deposit timelines (usually one to two business days) start counting from the first business day after the holiday.
Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?
Most credit unions follow the same 11 federal holidays as banks, but some observe additional holidays or have different schedules. Call your credit union directly to confirm whether they are open today, since policies vary by institution.
What if I need to reach my bank on a holiday?
Customer service phone lines are usually closed on federal holidays. However, many banks offer 24/7 automated phone support for account inquiries and fraud reporting. Check your bank's website for the holiday hours of its customer service line, or use the app to handle routine questions.
Do online banks close on bank holidays?
Online-only banks like Ally and Charles Schwab do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. However, they still cannot process wire transfers, ACH transfers to other banks, or check deposits on federal holidays because the banking system itself is offline. You can view your account and set up transactions, but they will not process until the next business day.