Check the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar or your bank's website
The fastest way to know if today is a banking holiday is to look at your bank's website or mobile app — most banks display a banner on their homepage when they are closed. You can also call your bank's customer service line; they will tell you immediately whether branches are open and whether transactions will process today.
If you want to see the full year's schedule, the Federal Reserve publishes an official list of banking holidays on its website. This list applies to all Federal Reserve Banks and most commercial banks across the United States. Your specific bank may observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so checking with them directly is more reliable than assuming.
Banking holidays matter because banks do not process wire transfers, ACH payments, or check deposits on these days, even if you submit them online. Money you send on a banking holiday will not leave your account until the next business day, and money coming to you will not arrive until then either.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank's website or app will show whether it is closed today, which is faster than calling or checking a federal calendar.
- The Federal Reserve's official holiday list applies to most banks, but individual banks may observe different or additional holidays.
- Transactions submitted on a banking holiday do not process until the next business day, so timing matters if you have a deadline.
- Some banks stay open on certain federal holidays while others close, so you cannot assume based on the federal list alone.
The ten federal banking holidays
The Federal Reserve recognizes ten holidays each year when most banks close. These are: 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 Christmas Day (December 25).
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, many banks observe it on Friday instead. When it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday. This shift means the actual closure date can vary from the official holiday date, so checking your bank's calendar rather than a general holiday calendar prevents confusion.
Not every bank closes on every federal holiday. Some banks in certain states remain open on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, for example. The only way to know for certain is to check your specific bank's schedule.
Why banking holidays affect your money transfers
When you send a wire transfer, ACH payment, or check deposit on a banking holiday, the transaction enters a queue but does not actually move until the next business day. This means if you send money on a Friday that is a banking holiday, it will not leave your account until Monday at the earliest. If Monday is also a holiday, it waits until Tuesday.
This delay matters most when you have a bill due or are waiting for a payment to arrive. If you know a banking holiday is coming, submit time-sensitive payments the day before instead of waiting until the holiday itself. For payments you are receiving, do not assume they will land on the date promised if a banking holiday falls in between.
Debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals usually work normally on banking holidays because those transactions do not require bank staff to process them. Only transfers between accounts or to other banks are delayed.
How to plan around banking holidays
The simplest approach is to set a phone reminder for the day before a major banking holiday — New Year's Day, Christmas, and Thanksgiving week are the ones most people forget. Submit any time-sensitive payments the business day before the holiday closes.
If you receive regular payments like payroll or benefits, check whether they arrive on a banking holiday. Many employers and government agencies process payments the day before a holiday to avoid delays, but some do not. A quick call to your payroll department or benefits office will tell you whether your next payment will be affected.
For recurring bills, set them to process a day or two before any banking holiday rather than on the holiday itself. This prevents the awkward situation where a payment is stuck in processing and your creditor thinks you are late.
What to do if you need banking services on a holiday
Most banks offer limited services on federal holidays through their mobile apps and online banking portals. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and view transaction history. You cannot deposit checks remotely or speak to a person, but you can prepare transactions to send the moment the bank reopens.
If you need cash, ATMs operate 24/7 on banking holidays. If you need to deposit a check, you can use your bank's mobile deposit feature (photograph the check through the app) and it will process the next business day. Some banks also have ATMs that accept check deposits.
Credit unions sometimes have different holiday schedules than banks, so if you bank with a credit union, check their specific calendar. A few credit unions stay open on certain federal holidays when banks close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my bank close on all ten federal holidays?
Most banks close on all ten federal holidays, but some remain open on Columbus Day or Veterans Day depending on state law and company policy. Check your bank's website or call to confirm which holidays your specific branch observes.
If I send money on a banking holiday, when will it arrive?
Money sent on a banking holiday will not leave your account until the next business day. If the next day is also a holiday, it waits until the day after that. Wire transfers typically arrive the same business day they are sent; ACH transfers take one to two business days after that.
Can I use my debit card on a banking holiday?
Yes, debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals work normally on banking holidays because they do not require bank staff to process them. Only transfers between accounts or to other banks are delayed.
What if a banking holiday falls on a weekend?
If a federal holiday falls on Saturday, most banks observe it on Friday. If it falls on Sunday, they observe it on Monday. Your bank's website will show the actual closure date rather than the official holiday date.
How do I know if my paycheck will be delayed by a banking holiday?
Contact your employer's payroll department and ask whether they process payroll before or after banking holidays. Many employers pay the day before a holiday to avoid delays, but some do not. Knowing your company's practice prevents surprises.