How to learn about today is a bank holiday
The fastest way to know if today is a federal bank holiday is to check the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar at federalreserve.gov, which lists every day U.S. banks close. You can also call your own bank's customer service line — they will tell you immediately whether they are open. If you need to know whether a specific future date is a holiday, the Federal Reserve calendar shows the full year ahead, and most banks post their holiday schedules on their websites in December of the previous year.
Bank holidays matter because banks do not process transfers, deposits, or withdrawals on those days. If you are waiting for a refund, tax payment, or any other bank transaction, a holiday can delay it by one business day. Knowing which days are holidays helps you understand why a deposit has not arrived yet or when you can expect it.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve website shows the complete list of federal bank holidays for the current and upcoming years.
- Your own bank may observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so calling them directly is the most reliable check.
- Bank holidays delay all electronic transfers and deposits by one business day, which affects refund timelines.
- Most banks publish their full holiday schedule in December so you can plan ahead for the year.
The federal bank holiday schedule
The Federal Reserve recognizes ten federal holidays each year when all U.S. banks close: 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 Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November). Christmas (December 25) is the eleventh federal holiday.
When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, the Federal Reserve observes it on the nearest weekday — usually the Friday before if it falls on Saturday, or the Monday after if it falls on Sunday. This means the actual bank closure day may not be the calendar date of the holiday itself. The Federal Reserve publishes the observed dates each year on its website, and these dates apply to all member banks nationwide.
Why your bank might be closed when the Federal Reserve is open
Individual banks sometimes close on days the Federal Reserve does not, depending on state law and company policy. Some states recognize additional holidays — for example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, and some states have their own unique holidays. Your bank may also close for local or regional observances that are not federal holidays.
The safest approach is to contact your specific bank rather than relying on the federal calendar alone. Most banks list their holiday closures on their website under "Hours" or "Locations," and you can also call the customer service number on the back of your card. If you are waiting for a time-sensitive transaction like a tax refund or insurance payment, asking your bank directly whether they will be open on a specific date removes any doubt.
How bank holidays affect refund timing
When a refund is scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday, the deposit is delayed until the next business day. For example, if your tax refund is supposed to arrive on a Monday that is Memorial Day, the money will not hit your account until Tuesday. This one-day delay applies to all electronic transfers — direct deposits, ACH transfers, and wire transfers all stop processing on federal holidays.
If you are tracking a refund status and the expected arrival date falls on a holiday, add one business day to your timeline. The IRS, state tax agencies, and insurance companies all know about bank holidays and factor them into their processing estimates, but it is worth checking the calendar yourself if the timing is tight.
Checking your bank's specific holiday schedule
Most banks publish a full holiday schedule on their website, usually in a section labeled "Hours," "Locations," or "Holiday Hours." You can also find this information by calling the main customer service number or visiting a branch in person. Some banks email their holiday schedule to account holders in November or December, so check your email if you have banked with the same institution for more than a year.
If you use an online-only bank, check their website or app for holiday information — many display a banner during holiday weeks. Credit unions also observe federal holidays and may have their own additional closures, so if your refund is going to a credit union account, verify their schedule separately.
What to do if you need banking services on a holiday
If you need to deposit a check or move money on a federal holiday, most banks allow you to use their ATM or mobile app. ATM deposits are typically processed the next business day, and mobile check deposits work the same way. Online bill payments and transfers initiated through your bank's website or app on a holiday will usually process the next business day as well.
Wire transfers cannot be sent on bank holidays — if you initiate one on a holiday, it will not leave your account until the next business day. The same applies to ACH transfers and any transaction that requires manual processing. If you are sending money to pay a bill or refund, plan ahead and send it the business day before a holiday to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the stock market close on the same days as banks?
No. The stock market observes a different holiday schedule than banks. For example, the market is closed on Presidents' Day but open on Veterans Day. If you need to know whether the stock market is open on a specific day, check the NYSE or NASDAQ website rather than the Federal Reserve calendar.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit card purchases work normally on bank holidays because they are processed through merchant networks, not your bank's internal systems. ATM withdrawals also work on holidays. Only transfers between accounts and deposits require the bank to be open.
If a holiday falls on Sunday, is the bank closed on Monday?
Usually yes. When a federal holiday falls on Sunday, the Federal Reserve observes it on Monday, so banks close on Monday instead. Check the Federal Reserve's official calendar to confirm the observed date for that specific year.
How long does a deposit take if it arrives on a bank holiday?
The deposit will not process until the next business day. If a refund is scheduled to arrive on a holiday, add one full business day to the timeline. For example, if it is supposed to arrive on Monday (a holiday), it will arrive on Tuesday instead.
Do online banks close on federal holidays?
Online banks do not have physical locations, but they still cannot process transfers and deposits on federal holidays because the banking system itself shuts down. You can view your account and initiate transactions on a holiday, but they will not process until the next business day.