The quickest way to check if today is a bank holiday
The U.S. Federal Reserve publishes a calendar each year listing every day banks close. Go to federalreserve.gov, find the "Holidays" or "Bank Operating Schedule" section, and look for today's date. If it appears on that list, banks nationwide will be closed and you will not be able to deposit checks, withdraw cash at a branch, or conduct most banking transactions in person.
Your own bank may also close on state holidays that the Federal Reserve does not observe, so checking your bank's website directly is the safest second step. Most banks post their holiday schedule on the homepage or under "Customer Service" or "Hours."
If you need to know right now and do not want to search, the major federal holidays that close U.S. banks every year are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If today is not one of those dates, your bank is almost certainly open.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve website lists every day U.S. banks close for federal holidays, updated each year.
- Your individual bank may close on additional state holidays that other banks do not observe.
- If today is not one of the eleven major federal holidays, banks are open unless your state has declared a holiday.
- ATMs and online banking work on bank holidays, but branch services and check deposits do not.
- Calling your bank's customer service line will confirm whether they are open today, even if you cannot reach a person.
Where to find the official Federal Reserve holiday schedule
The Federal Reserve updates its holiday calendar every January. Visit federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/boardmeetings.htm or search "Federal Reserve holiday schedule" to land on the current year's page. The calendar shows every date when the Fed is closed and member banks nationwide follow suit.
This schedule is the source of truth for federal bank holidays. If a date does not appear here, the Federal Reserve is open and expects banks to be open as well. However, individual banks can choose to close on additional days for state or local holidays, so this schedule tells you the minimum — not the maximum — of closures.
State and local holidays that may close your bank
Some states observe holidays that the Federal Reserve does not. For example, Texas banks may close on Texas Independence Day (March 2), and some Southern banks close on Confederate Memorial Day. If your bank is headquartered in or has branches in a state that observes a holiday today, those branches may be closed even if the Federal Reserve is open.
The only way to know whether your specific bank closes for a state holiday is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly. Search "[Your Bank Name] holiday hours" or look under the "Locations" or "Hours" section of their site. Most banks list their full closure schedule for the year.
What you can and cannot do on a bank holiday
On a day when your bank is closed, you can still use ATMs to withdraw cash and check your balance. Online banking — transferring money between accounts, paying bills, viewing statements — works normally. Mobile apps function as usual.
What you cannot do is visit a branch in person, speak to a teller, deposit a check at a physical location, or conduct transactions that require a bank employee. If you deposit a check via mobile app or ATM on a holiday, it will be processed the next business day. Wire transfers and ACH payments initiated on a holiday typically process the next business day as well, though some banks process them the day after.
How to confirm your bank's holiday schedule
Call your bank's main customer service number — the one on the back of your debit card or on your statement. Even if no one answers, the automated message will usually state whether the bank is open today. You can also text your bank if they offer that service, or log into your online account and look for a "Contact Us" section that lists hours.
If you have a specific transaction you need to complete and are unsure whether today is a holiday, do not wait. Call or check online now. If your bank is closed, you can plan to visit tomorrow or use online banking to handle the task.
The eleven federal holidays when all U.S. banks close
| Holiday | Typical Date |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Christmas | December 25 |
If today matches one of these dates, your bank is closed. If today does not match any of these dates, check your bank's website to see whether your state or region observes a holiday you may not be familiar with.
What to do if you need banking services on a holiday
Use your bank's ATM to withdraw cash or deposit checks via mobile deposit. Pay bills and transfer money through online banking or your mobile app. These services work around the clock, even when branches are closed.
If you need to speak to someone, some banks staff phone lines on holidays, though wait times are often longer. Call the number on your card to find out. If your bank is part of a larger network — for example, if you use a credit union — you may be able to visit a different branch in the network that is open, though you should confirm this before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my check deposit process if I deposit it on a bank holiday?
If you deposit via mobile app or ATM on a holiday, the check will be processed the next business day. If you deposit at a branch in person, the branch will be closed. Mobile deposit is your best option on a holiday.
Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?
Most credit unions follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, but some observe additional holidays. Check your credit union's website or call to confirm their hours for today.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and stores on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and make purchases. Only branch services are unavailable.
What if the Federal Reserve is open but my bank is closed?
This can happen if your bank observes a state holiday that the Federal Reserve does not. Your bank's website or a phone call will confirm whether they are open today, regardless of the Federal Reserve's status.
Do online banks close on holidays?
Online-only banks do not have physical branches, so they do not close on holidays in the traditional sense. However, some services like customer support may have limited hours. Check your bank's website for their holiday schedule.