Check the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar or your bank's website

The fastest way to know if today is a federal banking holiday is to look at your bank's website or call their customer service line. Banks post their holiday schedules prominently, and most will tell you immediately whether they're open. The Federal Reserve publishes the official list of federal holidays that affect banking, but individual banks may observe additional holidays or have different hours on certain days.

If you need to know right now, search "[your bank name] holiday hours" or look for a "holiday schedule" link on their homepage. Most banks also display holiday information in their mobile app under settings or account information. You can also visit federalreserve.gov and look for their annual holiday schedule, which lists every day the Fed's payment systems close.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal banking holidays are set by the Federal Reserve, but your specific bank may observe different days or have modified hours.
  • Your bank's website or mobile app shows their exact holiday schedule and whether they're open today.
  • Even if your bank is open, the Federal Reserve's payment systems may be closed, which delays transfers and check clearing.
  • The 11 federal banking holidays occur on the same dates every year, with some observed on the nearest weekday if they fall on a weekend.

The 11 federal banking holidays and when they occur

The Federal Reserve observes 11 holidays each year when its payment systems close. These are: New Year's Day (January 1), Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January), Washington's Birthday (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), and Christmas Day (December 25).

When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, the Fed observes it on Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, the Fed observes it on Monday. Your bank may follow the same schedule, or it may have its own rules. Some banks stay open on certain federal holidays or close on days the Fed doesn't, depending on their location and business model.

What happens to your money and transfers on a banking holiday

If your bank is closed today but you need to move money, you can usually handle it through their mobile app or website. Online transfers, bill payments, and deposits often process on banking holidays, though they may not clear until the next business day. The delay happens because the Federal Reserve's payment systems are closed, so banks can't move money between institutions until the Fed reopens.

Checks deposited on a banking holiday won't clear until at least the day after the holiday ends. Wire transfers initiated on a holiday typically won't leave your account until the next business day. ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases work normally on holidays, since those don't require the Fed's payment network to process immediately.

Why the Federal Reserve closes on certain days

The Federal Reserve closes on federal banking holidays because its staff observes them, and the payment systems that move money between banks require Fed staff to operate. When the Fed is closed, banks can't clear checks, process wire transfers, or settle transactions through the Fed's network. This doesn't mean your money disappears — it means the movement of money between institutions pauses until the Fed reopens.

Individual banks may stay open on federal holidays to serve customers, but their ability to move money into or out of other banks is limited. A bank might let you withdraw cash or make a debit purchase on a holiday, but a transfer to another bank won't process until the Fed's systems reopen.

How to plan around banking holidays

If you need money to arrive by a specific date, initiate transfers at least one business day before a holiday. For example, if a holiday falls on Monday, send the transfer on Friday so it clears before the holiday. If you're expecting a deposit or payment, assume it won't arrive on a holiday or the day after — the Fed's closure adds an extra day to most transactions.

Check your bank's website for their specific holiday hours before you visit a branch. Some banks open for limited hours on holidays, while others close completely. If you need cash over a holiday weekend, withdraw it the day before. If you need to pay a bill by a certain date and a holiday is coming, pay it early to avoid delays.

State and local holidays that may affect your bank

Some states observe holidays that the Federal Reserve doesn't, and banks in those states may close on those days. For example, some states observe Robert E. Lee's birthday, Cesar Chavez Day, or Thanksgiving the day after Thanksgiving. If your bank closes on a state holiday but the Federal Reserve doesn't, the Fed's systems will still be open — your bank just won't be processing transactions.

Check your bank's holiday schedule at the start of each year to see which state and local holidays they observe. This information is usually in a PDF on their website or available by calling their main number.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases work on banking holidays because they don't require the Federal Reserve's payment systems to process immediately. The transaction may not settle until the next business day, but you can still access your money.

Will my direct deposit arrive on a federal banking holiday?

Direct deposits scheduled for a federal banking holiday usually arrive the next business day instead. If your employer sends payroll on Friday and Monday is a holiday, your deposit may arrive Tuesday. Check with your employer or bank about their specific timing.

What if I need to send money urgently and today is a banking holiday?

If your bank's website or app is open, you can initiate a transfer, but it won't process until the Fed reopens. If you need money to move today, a wire transfer through your bank may be your only option, though some banks don't process wires on holidays either. Call your bank to ask.

Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?

Most banks close on the 11 federal holidays the Fed observes, but some stay open with limited hours. Credit unions and online banks may have different schedules. Check your specific bank's website to confirm whether they're open today.

How do I know if the Federal Reserve is closed today?

Visit federalreserve.gov and look for their holiday calendar, or call your bank. Your bank will always know whether the Fed is open, since it affects whether they can process transfers.