Check the current date against the federal holiday calendar
The fastest way to know if today is a bank holiday is to look at the date and cross-reference it against the list of federal holidays observed by U.S. banks. There are 11 federal holidays each year that banks close for: 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 lands on a weekend, banks typically observe it on the nearest weekday instead — usually the Friday before if it falls on Saturday, or the Monday after if it falls on Sunday. This means the day your bank closes may not match the actual holiday date.
Keep in mind that your specific bank may also observe state holidays or regional holidays in addition to federal ones. A bank operating in multiple states might close for holidays that only apply to certain locations, so the most reliable source is always your own bank's schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Federal banks close on 11 holidays per year, and the dates are fixed or follow a predictable pattern, such as the third Monday in January for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- When a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, banks observe it on Friday or Monday, so the observed date may differ from the actual holiday date.
- Your specific bank may also observe state holidays or regional holidays in addition to federal ones, so checking your bank's website is more reliable than a general list.
- If you need to deposit money or access services on a day you think might be a holiday, call your bank's customer service line or check their website before you go.
- ATMs and online banking remain available on bank holidays, so you can still withdraw cash, transfer money, and deposit checks through digital channels even when branches are closed.
Check your bank's website or call their customer service line
The most direct way to confirm whether your bank is open today is to visit your bank's website and look for their holiday schedule or hours of operation. Most banks post their full-year holiday calendar in the customer service or contact section, often labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Closures."
If you cannot find the information online, call your bank's main customer service number. A representative can tell you immediately whether branches are open today and what hours they are operating. Many banks also display holiday closures in their mobile app or on the ATM screen when you insert your card.
For national banks like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo, you can usually find holiday schedules on their main websites. For credit unions or smaller regional banks, the information may be on a local branch page rather than a national one.
Understand that state and regional holidays vary
While all U.S. banks observe the 11 federal holidays, some states and regions have additional holidays that local banks may close for. For example, some banks in the South observe Confederate Memorial Day, banks in Hawaii may close for Statehood Day, and banks in Texas may close for Texas Independence Day.
If you bank with a regional or local institution, check whether they observe any holidays beyond the federal list. Credit unions in particular often follow state holiday schedules more closely than national banks do. The safest approach is to check your bank's specific holiday calendar rather than assuming a national standard applies to your location.
Plan ahead for holiday weekends
When a federal holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, it often creates a long weekend. Banks close on the holiday itself, and you may have limited access to in-person services on surrounding days. If you need to deposit checks, withdraw cash, or handle time-sensitive banking, plan to do it before the holiday weekend begins.
ATMs and online banking remain available on bank holidays, so you can still transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and deposit checks through your mobile app or website even when physical branches are closed. However, deposits made through ATMs or mobile apps may not post until the next business day after the holiday ends.
Know what to do if you need banking services on a holiday
If you need to reach your bank on a day it is closed, use online banking or your mobile app to handle routine transactions. Most banks allow you to transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and deposit checks through their digital platforms without visiting a branch or speaking to anyone.
For urgent issues that require speaking to a person, some banks operate holiday customer service lines. Call the number on the back of your debit card or check your bank's website for holiday support options. If your bank does not offer holiday support, you will need to wait until the next business day to speak with a representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all banks close on the same holidays?
All U.S. banks close on the 11 federal holidays, but some regional and local banks may also close for state-specific holidays. Check your bank's website or call ahead to confirm their schedule if you are unsure whether they observe additional holidays.
What happens if I deposit a check on a bank holiday?
If you deposit a check through an ATM or mobile app on a holiday, it will be processed the next business day. Deposits made at a branch on a holiday cannot be processed until the branch reopens, so the delay may be longer if the holiday is followed by a weekend.
Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs and debit cards work on bank holidays because they are connected to the bank's network 24/7. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and make transfers anytime, even when branches are closed.
If a holiday falls on Saturday, does the bank close on Friday?
Usually yes. When a federal holiday lands on Saturday, banks typically observe it on Friday. When it lands on Sunday, they observe it on Monday. Your bank's website will show the observed date for each holiday.
How do I know if my credit union is open on a holiday?
Credit unions often follow different holiday schedules than national banks, especially for state holidays. Check your credit union's website or call their main number to confirm their holiday hours, rather than assuming they follow the federal holiday list.