The fastest way to find out
The Federal Reserve publishes a list of bank holidays each year, and most banks follow it. The easiest check is to visit your bank's website directly — search for "holiday hours" or "bank holidays" — because some banks close on different days than others, and a few stay open on federal holidays. If you need to know right now, call your bank's customer service line; they can tell you in under a minute whether they are closed this week.
The Federal Reserve's official holiday schedule lists 11 federal holidays when most U.S. banks close. These are New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. State banks sometimes observe additional state holidays, and credit unions may have their own schedules.
If you are waiting for a payment to arrive — a tax refund, insurance refund, or government payment — a bank holiday this week can delay the deposit by one business day. Payments that would normally arrive on a Friday may not post until Monday if Monday is a holiday.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank's website or customer service line will tell you whether they are closed this week, which is faster and more accurate than a general federal list.
- Most banks follow the Federal Reserve's 11 annual holidays, but some observe additional state holidays or have different schedules.
- A bank holiday can delay deposits by one business day, so a refund or payment scheduled for Friday may not post until the following Tuesday if Monday is a holiday.
- Credit unions and online banks sometimes have different holiday schedules than traditional banks, so check with your specific institution.
Where to find your bank's specific holiday schedule
Most banks post their holiday hours on the homepage or in a dedicated section labeled "Hours & Locations," "Holiday Hours," or "Bank Holidays." Search for that phrase on your bank's website. If you cannot find it, look for a phone number and call — customer service can confirm whether they are open this week in under two minutes.
Online banks and credit unions often have different schedules than brick-and-mortar banks. Some online banks do not close on federal holidays because they do not have physical branches. Credit unions typically follow the Federal Reserve schedule but may add state-specific holidays. Check your institution's website or call before assuming they are closed.
What happens to deposits and payments on a bank holiday
If a payment is scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday, it will not post to your account that day. The deposit will process the next business day instead. For example, if a refund is set to arrive on Memorial Day (a federal holiday), it will post on Tuesday instead. This applies to tax refunds, insurance refunds, stimulus payments, and most other government or business payments.
Transfers you initiate before a bank holiday will also be delayed. If you send money on a Friday and Monday is a holiday, the transfer will not complete until Tuesday. Some banks process transfers over the weekend anyway, but most do not. Check with your bank if timing is critical.
The 11 federal bank holidays in 2024 and 2025
| Holiday | 2024 Date | 2025 Date |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. | January 15 | January 20 |
| Presidents' Day | February 19 | February 17 |
| Memorial Day | May 27 | May 26 |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 | July 4 |
| Labor Day | September 2 | September 1 |
| Columbus Day | October 14 | October 13 |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving | November 28 | November 27 |
| Christmas | December 25 | December 25 |
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks observe it on Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday. Some states add their own holidays — for example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, and some Western states observe Pioneer Day. Your state's banking authority or your bank directly can tell you which additional holidays apply to you.
How bank holidays affect refund and payment timelines
If you are waiting for a tax refund, insurance refund, or stimulus payment, a bank holiday this week means the deposit will arrive one business day later than the stated timeline. The IRS, for example, says most tax refunds arrive within 21 days, but that count does not include bank holidays. If day 21 falls on a holiday, add one more day.
The same rule applies to business refunds, insurance payouts, and government payments like Social Security or unemployment benefits. The payment leaves the issuing agency on schedule, but your bank will not process it until the next business day after the holiday ends. This is why it is worth checking your bank's holiday schedule if you are expecting money this week.
State-specific bank holidays you may observe
Some states observe holidays that the Federal Reserve does not. These vary widely by state and sometimes by county. For example, Texas observes Texas Independence Day (March 2), Hawaii observes Prince Kuhio Day (March 26), and some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day. A few states do not observe Columbus Day or Presidents' Day.
If you live in a state with additional holidays, your bank may close on those days even though they are not federal holidays. The only reliable way to know is to check your bank's website or call. Do not assume a state holiday will close your bank — some banks stay open on state holidays even if the state government does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit arrive on a bank holiday?
No. Direct deposits scheduled for a bank holiday will post the next business day instead. If your paycheck or benefit payment is set to arrive on a holiday, it will show up in your account on the following business day. Some employers and benefit programs send deposits the day before a holiday to avoid this delay.
Do online banks close on federal holidays?
Most online banks do not close on federal holidays because they have no physical branches. However, their processing systems may still be offline, which can delay transfers and deposits. Check your online bank's website to see whether they process transactions on federal holidays.
What if I need to access my money on a bank holiday?
You can usually withdraw from ATMs on bank holidays, and online banking platforms remain open. You cannot visit a branch or speak to a teller, and transfers may not process until the next business day. If you need cash, use an ATM before the holiday.
How do I know if my state observes additional holidays?
Search "[your state] bank holidays" or visit your state's banking authority website. Your bank's website will also list all holidays they observe, including state-specific ones. Calling your bank is the fastest way to confirm.
Can a bank holiday delay my tax refund?
Yes. If your refund is scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday, it will post the next business day. The IRS counts business days, not calendar days, so a holiday adds one day to the timeline. Check the IRS website for your expected deposit date and your bank's holiday schedule to see if they overlap.