Most major banks close on Columbus Day, but some branches and online services stay available
Yes, most banks in the United States close on Columbus Day (the second Monday in October). The Federal Reserve observes it as a holiday, which means the banking system itself shuts down for the day — no wire transfers, no check clearing, no ACH payments. However, the experience varies depending on your bank and what you need to do.
Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank close their physical branches on Columbus Day. Credit unions typically close as well. But many banks keep their ATMs running, their mobile apps working, and their online banking portals open. Some banks also staff customer service phone lines on the holiday, though response times are usually slower.
If you need cash or want to deposit a check, an ATM works the same way on Columbus Day as any other day. If you need to speak to a person or conduct a transaction that requires human approval — a wire transfer, a loan decision, a dispute resolution — that will have to wait until the next business day.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Columbus Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available at most institutions.
- Wire transfers, check clearing, and ACH payments do not process on Columbus Day because the Federal Reserve is closed.
- Transactions you initiate online or through an ATM on Columbus Day will process the next business day.
- If you need to speak to a banker or conduct a transaction requiring approval, you will need to wait until Tuesday.
- Some banks operate limited customer service lines on Columbus Day, but wait times are typically longer than normal business days.
What you can and cannot do on Columbus Day
ATM withdrawals and deposits work normally on Columbus Day. You can transfer money between your own accounts through your bank's app or website. You can pay bills online, check your balance, and review your transaction history. Mobile check deposit — taking a photo of a check through your bank's app — also works, though the check will not clear until the next business day.
What does not work: wire transfers initiated on Columbus Day will not send until Tuesday. ACH transfers (the system banks use to move money between accounts at different institutions) do not process. If you write a check, it will not clear until after the holiday. Loan applications, mortgage approvals, credit disputes, and any transaction that requires a banker's decision will not move forward until the branches reopen.
If you are expecting a deposit on Columbus Day — a paycheck, a tax refund, a payment from a customer — it will still arrive in your account. Deposits that are already in the system continue to process. But if you are sending money out, it will wait.
Which banks stay open or offer limited service
Most online-only banks (Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, Discover Bank) do not have physical locations to close, so their services run normally on Columbus Day. However, their customer service teams may have reduced hours or be unavailable.
Some regional and community banks stay open on Columbus Day, particularly in states or areas where Columbus Day is not widely observed. A few banks in the Southwest and parts of the Northeast operate on different holiday schedules. The only way to know for certain is to check your specific bank's website or call ahead.
If you bank with a credit union, check their holiday schedule directly. Many credit unions follow the Federal Reserve calendar, but some have their own policies. The Credit Union Locator on the CO-OP Network website lets you find branches and their hours.
How to plan ahead if you need banking services
If you know you will need cash on Columbus Day, withdraw it on Friday or Saturday. If you are expecting a paycheck or payment, it will arrive normally — deposits process even when branches are closed. If you need to send money, initiate the transfer on Friday so it processes Monday morning.
If you have a time-sensitive transaction (closing on a house, paying a contractor, settling a dispute), schedule it for the day before or the day after Columbus Day. Wire transfers and ACH payments initiated on Columbus Day will not leave your account until Tuesday, which can create problems if the recipient is counting on the money Monday.
For bill payments, most banks let you schedule them in advance through their website. Set up automatic payments or schedule a payment for Tuesday if the due date falls on or near Columbus Day.
What happens to deposits and payments on Columbus Day
Money that is already moving through the system continues to move. If your employer initiated your paycheck on Friday, it will land in your account on Monday as scheduled. If a customer sent you an ACH payment on Friday, it will arrive Monday. Deposits that are already queued do not stop because the banks are closed.
But new transactions initiated on Columbus Day sit in a queue. A wire transfer you send Monday morning will not actually leave your bank until Tuesday. An ACH payment you schedule Monday will not process until Wednesday. This matters if you are paying a contractor who needs the money Monday or if you are trying to move money before a deadline.
Check deposits are the exception. If you deposit a check through an ATM or mobile app on Columbus Day, the check enters the system, but it will not clear until Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the bank and the check's origin. The money will not be available to spend until then.
State variations and when Columbus Day is not observed
Most states observe Columbus Day as a holiday, which means state banks and state offices close. However, South Dakota, Hawaii, and parts of Alaska do not recognize Columbus Day — they observe Native American Day or Alaska Day instead. In those states, some banks and government offices stay open on the second Monday in October.
Even in states that observe Columbus Day, some banks choose to stay open. This is rare for large national banks but more common among smaller regional institutions and credit unions. Your best approach is to check your specific bank's website for their holiday schedule or call the branch directly.
The Federal Reserve holiday schedule is the same across the country, so wire transfers and ACH payments do not process on Columbus Day regardless of where your bank is located. But if your bank is in a state that does not observe the holiday, you may be able to visit a branch or speak to a banker in person.
What to do if you need banking help on Columbus Day
If you have an urgent banking issue on Columbus Day, call your bank's customer service line. Many large banks staff phone lines on federal holidays, though wait times are typically 30 minutes to an hour longer than normal. Have your account number and ID ready.
If the issue is not urgent, send a message through your bank's app or website. Most banks respond to messages within one business day, and your message will be in the queue when staff returns Tuesday morning.
For emergencies — a fraudulent charge, a compromised account, a critical payment that needs to go out — call the number on the back of your debit or credit card. Banks maintain fraud and security lines 24/7, even on holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit on Columbus Day?
Yes. Deposits that are already in the system process normally on Columbus Day. Your employer likely initiated your paycheck on Friday, so it will arrive Monday as scheduled. The bank closure does not affect incoming deposits.
Can I withdraw money from an ATM on Columbus Day?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7, including on Columbus Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks through most ATMs. The transaction will process immediately, though a deposited check will not clear until the next business day.
If I send a wire transfer on Columbus Day, when will it arrive?
The wire will not send until Tuesday morning. Any wire transfer initiated on Columbus Day sits in your bank's queue and processes the next business day. If the recipient needs the money Monday, you will need to send it Friday instead.
Do online banks close on Columbus Day?
Online-only banks do not have physical locations to close, so their apps and websites work normally on Columbus Day. However, their customer service teams may have reduced availability. The Federal Reserve closure still affects ACH and wire transfers, so those transactions will not process until Tuesday.
What if my bank is open on Columbus Day?
Some regional and community banks stay open on Columbus Day. If your bank is open, you can visit a branch and conduct transactions in person. However, wire transfers and ACH payments still will not process because the Federal Reserve is closed, even if your individual bank is staffed.