Most banks will be closed on Good Friday, but some services stay available
Good Friday is a federal holiday, which means most banks observe it as a day off. The Federal Reserve, which sets the standard for the banking system, does not operate on Good Friday, and most major banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank — close their physical branches on this day. However, the closure is not total: ATMs remain open, online banking continues to work, and some credit unions or smaller regional banks may stay open depending on their own policies.
If you need to handle banking business on Good Friday, plan ahead. Deposits made at an ATM will process, but they may not post to your account until the following business day. Transfers between your own accounts through online banking go through immediately, though they won't settle until the next business day. Wire transfers, bill payments, and other transactions initiated on Good Friday typically process on the next banking day, which is usually Monday.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Good Friday because it is a federal holiday observed by the Federal Reserve.
- ATMs work on Good Friday, and you can deposit checks or withdraw cash, though deposits won't post until the next business day.
- Online banking and mobile apps remain available on Good Friday, but transactions initiated that day won't settle until the following business day.
- Some credit unions and regional banks may stay open on Good Friday, so contact your bank directly if you need to confirm their schedule.
- Wire transfers and ACH payments initiated on Good Friday will process on the next banking day, usually Monday.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
ATMs are your main option for cash and deposits on Good Friday. You can withdraw money, check your balance, and deposit checks or cash into an ATM. The transaction completes immediately on your end, but the deposit won't actually post to your account until the next business day — usually Monday, since Saturday and Sunday are also non-business days for banks.
Online and mobile banking work normally on Good Friday. You can log in, check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up bill payments or transfers. The action you take is recorded, but the actual movement of money doesn't happen until the next business day. If you schedule a payment for Good Friday itself, most banks will process it on Monday instead.
You cannot visit a branch, speak to a teller, or access services that require a person. If you need to open a new account, get a cashier's check, discuss a loan, or resolve a problem that requires human help, you will need to wait until the branch reopens on the next business day.
When transactions actually process after Good Friday
Good Friday is followed by Saturday and Sunday, which means the next banking day is Monday. Any transaction you initiate on Good Friday — a deposit at an ATM, a bill payment set up online, a transfer between accounts — will process on Monday. This matters if you are counting on money arriving by a certain date.
Wire transfers initiated on Good Friday will not leave your account until Monday and will not arrive at the receiving bank until Monday or later, depending on the receiving bank's schedule. ACH transfers (the standard method for moving money between banks) also process on Monday. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, initiate the transaction on Thursday instead.
Checks you deposit at an ATM on Good Friday will be processed on Monday. The funds may take an additional one to three business days to clear, depending on the check amount and your bank's policies. If you need the money quickly, deposit the check on Thursday.
Credit unions and regional banks may have different hours
While most major national banks close on Good Friday, some credit unions and smaller regional banks stay open. Their policies vary widely. Some observe Good Friday as a holiday; others treat it as a regular business day. The only way to know for certain is to contact your bank or credit union directly.
If you bank with a credit union, call the branch or check their website for Good Friday hours. Many credit unions post holiday schedules several weeks in advance. If you use a regional or community bank, the same applies — their website or a phone call will tell you whether they are open.
Planning ahead to avoid delays
If you have banking business that needs to happen before Good Friday, do it on Thursday. Deposits made on Thursday will post on Friday. Transfers initiated on Thursday will settle on Friday. This gives you a full business day of processing time before the weekend and the holiday.
If you are expecting a deposit — a paycheck, a tax refund, a payment from someone else — and the deposit date falls on Good Friday or the weekend, it will post on Monday. Payroll systems typically process deposits the night before payday, so a Friday payday will usually hit your account on Friday morning, even if Friday is Good Friday. However, if payday is Monday and Good Friday falls in between, the deposit will arrive on Monday as scheduled.
For bill payments, set them up at least two business days before they are due. If a bill is due on Monday and you pay it on Good Friday, the payment may not reach the creditor until Tuesday, which could result in a late fee. Pay on Thursday instead to ensure the payment processes on Friday.
What to do if you need cash or a deposit on Good Friday
Use an ATM. This is the most reliable option. ATMs operate 24/7 at most banks, including on holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance without needing the branch to be open.
If you need a service that requires a person — a cashier's check, a wire transfer initiated in person, a loan discussion, account opening — you cannot do it on Good Friday. Plan to handle these tasks on Thursday or wait until Monday. Some banks offer phone or online options for certain services; call your bank to ask whether they can process your request remotely.
If you are traveling and need cash, withdraw it on Thursday or use an ATM on Good Friday. If you need to deposit a check while traveling, use a mobile deposit feature if your bank offers it, or wait until you return to a branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit on Good Friday if payday is that day?
Most employers process payroll the night before payday, so your check will likely deposit on Good Friday morning even though the banks are closed. However, if your employer processes payroll on Good Friday itself, the deposit may be delayed until Monday. Contact your payroll department if you are unsure when they process.
Can I get a cashier's check on Good Friday?
No. Cashier's checks require a teller, and branches are closed on Good Friday. You will need to get one on Thursday or Monday. If you need a cashier's check urgently, some banks offer them through online banking or can mail one to you, but this takes several days.
What if I deposit a check at an ATM on Good Friday and need the money Monday?
The deposit will post to your account on Monday, but the funds may not be available for withdrawal until Tuesday or later, depending on the check amount and your bank's hold policies. Large checks often have longer holds. If you need the money immediately, deposit on Thursday instead.
Do online banks close on Good Friday?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not close on Good Friday. You can access your account and initiate transactions at any time. However, transactions still process according to the banking system's schedule, so a transfer initiated on Good Friday will settle on Monday.
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants, ATMs, and online retailers on Good Friday. The transaction processes immediately at the point of sale, though it may take a business day or two to post to your account depending on the merchant.