Banks close on 11 federal holidays each year, and the dates are set by Congress
U.S. banks shut down on the same 11 days every year. These are federal holidays—days when the federal government offices close and the Federal Reserve does not process payments. When a bank is closed, you cannot withdraw cash, deposit checks, or move money between accounts in person. Online transfers and ATM withdrawals may still work, depending on your bank.
The dates do not change year to year. Congress sets them, and they fall on the same calendar day unless that day lands on a weekend, in which case banks observe the holiday on the nearest weekday instead.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close on 11 federal holidays per year: New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- If a holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday; if it falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday.
- Online banking, ATM withdrawals, and bill payments usually work on bank holidays, but check with your bank because policies vary.
- Checks deposited on a bank holiday may not clear until the next business day, which can delay access to the funds.
- If you need cash or in-person service on a holiday, plan ahead by withdrawing money the day before.
The 11 federal holidays when banks close
These are the days banks observe every year:
| 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 National Independence Day | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
Some banks also close on the day after Thanksgiving, though this is not a federal holiday. Check your bank's calendar to confirm.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend
When a federal holiday lands on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday instead. When it lands on a Sunday, they close on Monday. This rule keeps the bank closed for one day, not two.
For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, July 3. If Christmas (December 25) falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, December 26. The Federal Reserve publishes its official holiday schedule each year, and your bank follows that schedule.
Online banking and ATMs on bank holidays
Most banks keep their websites and mobile apps running on federal holidays, so you can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills online. ATMs also typically work around the clock, even when the bank branch is closed.
However, not every transaction processes immediately. If you transfer money to another bank on a holiday, that transfer may not arrive until the next business day. Checks you deposit through a mobile app or ATM may not clear until the day after the holiday. Contact your bank directly if you need to know how it handles specific transactions on holidays, because policies vary.
How bank holidays affect check deposits and transfers
If you deposit a check on a bank holiday, the bank does not process it that day. The deposit is recorded, but the funds may not be available until the next business day or later, depending on the check amount and your bank's policy. This matters if you are counting on that money to cover a bill or payment due soon.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers (the standard way to move money between banks) also pause on federal holidays. If you send a transfer on a holiday, it enters the queue but does not move until the next business day. Plan around this if you have a time-sensitive payment coming due.
Planning ahead to avoid holiday closures
If you need cash on a federal holiday, withdraw it the day before. If you need to deposit a check and want it to clear quickly, deposit it before the holiday, not on it. If you are paying a bill that is due on or near a holiday, send the payment at least one business day early.
Many banks publish their holiday schedule on their website or in their mobile app. Look for a link labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Bank Holidays" to see the exact dates your bank will be closed. If you bank at a credit union instead of a traditional bank, check whether it observes the same federal holidays—some credit unions have different schedules.
State holidays and bank closures
Some states observe additional holidays beyond the 11 federal ones. Banks in those states may close on state holidays as well. For example, some banks in Hawaii close on Hawaii Admission Day (August 21), and some in Alaska close on Alaska Day (October 18). If you live in a state with additional holidays, your bank's website will list which ones it observes.
The Federal Reserve only recognizes the 11 federal holidays, so interstate transfers and payments may process normally even if your local bank is closed. However, your own bank branch will still be shut, so you cannot visit in person or speak to a teller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit card transactions process through the card network, not through your bank's branch. You can swipe or tap your card at stores and ATMs on any federal holiday. However, if you need to dispute a charge or have a problem, you may not reach customer service until the next business day.
Will my paycheck deposit on a bank holiday?
Direct deposits from your employer are processed by the Federal Reserve and usually land in your account on the scheduled day, even if that day is a federal holiday. However, some employers delay payroll when a holiday falls on a Friday or Monday. Check with your payroll department if you are unsure.
What if I need to withdraw cash and the bank is closed?
Use an ATM. Most ATMs work 24/7, even when the bank branch is closed. If your bank charges a fee for out-of-network ATM use, you may want to withdraw cash the day before the holiday to avoid the fee.
Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?
Most credit unions close on the same 11 federal holidays as banks, but some have different schedules. Contact your credit union directly or check its website to confirm which holidays it observes.
If a holiday is on a Tuesday, does the bank close on Monday or Tuesday?
The bank closes on Tuesday, the actual holiday. Banks only shift the closure to a different weekday when the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. If the holiday is on a weekday (Monday through Friday), the bank closes that day.