Most banks close on Thanksgiving Day, but some branches may open the day after
Yes, most banks close on Thanksgiving Day itself. The Federal Reserve treats Thanksgiving as a federal holiday, so banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System do not process transactions that day. This includes the major national banks: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most regional and local banks.
The day after Thanksgiving (the Friday) is a regular business day for banks. Most branches open at their normal hours, though some smaller branches may have reduced hours or stay closed if they are located in areas where the day is observed locally. Call your specific branch or check their website to confirm Friday hours before you go.
If you need cash or have a banking emergency on Thanksgiving Day itself, ATMs stay open 24/7 at most banks. You can withdraw money, check your balance, and transfer funds between your own accounts using the ATM network, even though the physical branch is closed.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Thanksgiving Day because it is a federal holiday recognized by the Federal Reserve.
- ATMs remain open on Thanksgiving, so you can withdraw cash and check balances even when branches are closed.
- The Friday after Thanksgiving is a normal business day for most banks, though you should confirm hours with your specific branch.
- Online banking and mobile apps work on Thanksgiving Day, but transfers to other banks may not process until the next business day.
- If you need to deposit a check or speak to a banker, plan to visit on Friday or the Monday after the holiday weekend.
What you can and cannot do on Thanksgiving at your bank
On Thanksgiving Day, you cannot walk into a branch and speak to a teller, open a new account, get a cashier's check, or deposit checks at the physical location. Wire transfers initiated on Thanksgiving will not process until the next business day. If you need to dispute a transaction or report a lost card, you can call your bank's customer service line — most banks staff their phone lines on holidays — but the branch itself will be locked.
What you can do: withdraw cash from any ATM in your bank's network or partner networks, transfer money between your own accounts, check your balance, pay bills online through your bank's website or app, and set up automatic payments. These functions do not require a branch to be open.
If you use a credit union instead of a bank, check with your specific credit union. Some credit unions observe Thanksgiving and close; others stay open. Credit unions are not required to follow Federal Reserve holidays the way banks are, so the rule varies by institution.
Online and mobile banking on Thanksgiving
Your bank's website and mobile app work normally on Thanksgiving Day. You can log in, check balances, view transaction history, and set up bill payments without any interruption. Payments you schedule to go out on Thanksgiving will typically process on that day if they are set to go to another account at the same bank.
Payments sent to other banks or to external accounts may not process until Friday, even if you schedule them on Thanksgiving. The banking system does not clear payments between different institutions on federal holidays. If timing matters — for example, if a bill is due on Thanksgiving — schedule the payment for Wednesday instead to make sure it clears on time.
ATM access and cash withdrawal on Thanksgiving
ATMs are open 24/7 on Thanksgiving at virtually all major banks. You can use your debit card to withdraw cash, deposit checks (at ATMs that have deposit capability), transfer money between accounts, and check your balance. There are no daily withdrawal limits imposed by the holiday itself, though your bank may have its own standard limits on how much you can withdraw in a single day.
If you use an out-of-network ATM on Thanksgiving, you will pay the same out-of-network fee you would pay on any other day. Plan ahead if you know you will need cash — withdraw what you need on Wednesday or earlier in the week to avoid fees or running into a daily limit.
Friday after Thanksgiving and the rest of the weekend
The Friday after Thanksgiving is a regular business day. Most bank branches open at their standard hours — typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, though hours vary by location. This is when you can deposit checks, open accounts, get cashier's checks, and handle anything that requires a teller or banker.
Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving, branches are closed as usual. ATMs remain open. If you need to do something in person, Friday is your only chance until Monday.
Monday after Thanksgiving is also a regular business day with normal hours. There is no federal holiday on Monday, so all branches operate as usual.
Planning ahead for holiday banking
If you know you will need something from your bank around Thanksgiving, do it on Wednesday or earlier. Deposit checks, withdraw cash, and handle any account changes before the holiday. This prevents you from being stuck on Friday with a long line of people who waited too late.
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, find out where ATMs are located near where you will be staying. Most hotels, airports, and shopping centers have ATMs from multiple banks, so you have options even if your own bank's ATM is not nearby. Notify your bank before you travel if you will be using your card in a different state or region — some banks flag out-of-area transactions as fraud and may block your card.
What to do if you have a banking emergency on Thanksgiving
If your card is lost or stolen on Thanksgiving, call your bank's customer service line. Most banks have 24/7 phone support for fraud and card issues, even on holidays. They can freeze your card immediately and arrange for a replacement to be mailed or picked up.
If you notice unauthorized charges on your account, report them by phone on Thanksgiving. Do not wait until Friday. The sooner you report fraud, the sooner your bank can investigate and reverse the charges. Keep the phone number for your bank's fraud department saved in your phone before the holiday.
If you have a question about your account that is not an emergency, it can wait until Friday. Customer service lines are often backed up on holidays, so non-urgent calls may have long wait times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check at an ATM on Thanksgiving?
Yes, if your bank's ATM has a deposit slot. You can deposit checks 24/7 at most ATMs. The check will be processed and added to your account on the next business day, which is Friday after Thanksgiving.
Will my bill payment go through if I schedule it for Thanksgiving?
If you are paying another account at the same bank, yes — it will process on Thanksgiving. If you are paying a bill at a different bank or a biller outside the banking system, it will not process until Friday. Schedule important bills for Wednesday to be safe.
Are credit unions open on Thanksgiving?
Some are, some are not. Credit unions are not required to follow Federal Reserve holidays. Call your credit union directly or check their website to find out their Thanksgiving hours.
Can I use my debit card at stores on Thanksgiving if my bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at stores, gas stations, and restaurants on Thanksgiving regardless of whether your bank branch is open. The transaction processes through the payment network, not through your branch.
What if I need a cashier's check on Thanksgiving?
You cannot get one on Thanksgiving — cashier's checks are issued only at open branches. If you need one for a closing or payment due on Thanksgiving, get it on Wednesday. If the need comes up after the holiday, go to your branch on Friday.