How to learn about your bank is closed today
The fastest way is to call your bank's customer service line or check their website — most banks post holiday closures on their homepage or in the mobile app. If you need to know right now, text your bank's support number or log into your account; the app usually shows a banner if branches are closed. Your specific branch may also have different hours than the main holiday schedule, especially if it's in a shopping center or operates on a non-standard schedule.
If you're trying to reach a federal agency that handles refunds, stimulus payments, or tax matters, the IRS and Social Security Administration both close on federal holidays. The Treasury Department, which processes tax refunds and some government payments, also observes the full federal holiday calendar. State tax agencies follow their own state holiday schedules, which sometimes differ from federal ones.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close on federal holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, and Independence Day, but not all banks observe the same state holidays.
- Your bank's website or mobile app will show whether branches are open today and what hours they keep.
- ATMs and online banking work on federal holidays even when branches are closed.
- If you're waiting for a refund or payment that should arrive today, federal processing stops on holidays, so deposits may be delayed by one business day.
- State tax agencies and local government offices may close on different holidays than federal banks, so check your state's calendar separately.
Federal holidays when all U.S. banks close
Banks observe these federal holidays every 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), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25).
When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday. If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday. This shift means your refund or payment may arrive a day later than you expected if the holiday moves to a Friday or Monday.
State and local holidays that affect some banks
Some states observe additional holidays that federal banks do not. For example, some Southern states close on Confederate Memorial Day, and a few states close on Election Day. Banks in those states may close even though it is not a federal holiday. If you bank with a regional or state-based bank, check their website for the full list of days they observe.
Local government offices and state tax agencies follow their own calendars. If you're waiting for a state tax refund or a payment from a state agency, that office may be closed on a day when federal banks are open, or vice versa. The best approach is to check both your bank's holiday schedule and your state's holiday schedule if you're expecting money from a government source.
What happens to refunds and payments on bank holidays
If a refund or payment is scheduled to arrive on a federal holiday, the deposit usually processes the next business day instead. The IRS, Social Security, and the Treasury Department all stop processing on holidays, so a refund that was supposed to hit your account on Christmas will typically arrive on December 26 (or the next business day if that is also a weekend). This applies to tax refunds, stimulus payments, and most government benefit payments.
Direct deposits scheduled for a holiday may show as pending in your account on the holiday itself, but the money will not clear until the next business day. If you're tracking a refund status and it shows a delivery date that falls on a holiday, add one business day to your timeline. Some banks credit deposits early, but this is not may provide, especially for government payments.
ATMs and online banking on holidays
ATMs work 24/7 on federal holidays, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance anytime. Online banking and mobile apps also stay open, so you can transfer money, pay bills, or check pending deposits from your phone or computer. The only services that stop are in-person branch services like speaking to a teller, applying for a loan, or getting a cashier's check.
If you need to deposit a check on a holiday, most banks let you use a mobile deposit feature in the app, which processes the next business day. Some branches have after-hours deposit envelopes, but those also process the next business day. Plan ahead if you need cash or need to complete a transaction that requires a person.
How to plan around bank holidays when waiting for money
If you're expecting a refund or payment, check the delivery date against the federal holiday calendar. If it lands on a holiday, assume it will arrive the next business day. For tax refunds, the IRS provides an estimated delivery date in your account or through the "Where's My Refund?" tool — if that date is a holiday, add one business day. For stimulus payments and Social Security, the Treasury Department's payment schedule shows which day your deposit will process.
If a payment is delayed and you need the money urgently, contact the issuing agency (IRS, Social Security, your state tax office) to confirm the payment was sent. They can tell you whether it cleared their system and when it should reach your bank. Your bank can also trace an incoming wire or ACH transfer if it has not arrived within the expected timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?
Most credit unions observe federal holidays, but some may have different schedules. Check your credit union's website or call their main line to confirm. Some credit unions close on state holidays that banks do not, so it's worth verifying before you need to visit a branch.
What if I need to deposit a check on a holiday?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app if available — it works on holidays and processes the next business day. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, look for an ATM with a deposit slot, though those also process the next business day. Avoid mailing a check on a holiday if you need it to clear quickly.
Will my refund arrive late if the holiday falls on a Friday?
Yes, typically. If a holiday is on Friday, banks close that day, and your refund will process on Monday instead. If the holiday is on Monday, your refund processes on Tuesday. Check your expected delivery date and add one business day if it lands on or just before a holiday.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and at any store or online merchant on holidays. You can also use them to pay bills online or transfer money through your bank's app. The only thing you cannot do is visit a branch in person or speak to a teller.
How do I know if my state observes different holidays than federal banks?
Visit your state's government website and search for the state holiday calendar. Compare it to the federal holiday list. If your state tax office or a state agency owes you money, check their specific holiday schedule, as it may differ from federal banks in your area.