Most banks close on Memorial Day, but ATMs and online banking stay open
Yes, most banks in the United States close on Memorial Day (the last Monday in May). This is a federal holiday, and the vast majority of brick-and-mortar branches shut down for the day. However, the picture is more complicated than a simple yes or no — some banks keep limited services running, and digital banking never stops.
If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone in person on Memorial Day, you will likely find your branch closed. But you can still transfer money, pay bills, check your balance, and move funds between accounts through your bank's app or website. ATMs work on Memorial Day just like any other day. The key is knowing which services your specific bank offers outside branch hours and whether you can handle your task digitally or need to wait until Tuesday.
Key Takeaways
- Standard bank branches close on Memorial Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7.
- Some large banks operate a small number of branches on Memorial Day, usually in major cities or airports — call ahead to confirm.
- Checks deposited through a mobile app or ATM on Memorial Day typically post the next business day (Tuesday).
- Wire transfers and bill payments made through online banking on Memorial Day usually process on Tuesday, not the same day.
- If you need cash or a cashier's check on Memorial Day, plan ahead or use an ATM the day before.
Which banks stay open on Memorial Day
Very few banks operate full-service branches on Memorial Day. However, some of the largest national banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank — may open a handful of locations in major metropolitan areas, airports, or hospital campuses. These are exceptions, not the rule, and hours are often shortened (for example, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. instead of the normal 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Credit unions typically follow the same holiday schedule as banks and close on Memorial Day. However, some credit unions that serve specific industries (healthcare, military) may have different policies. Your best move is to call your branch directly the week before Memorial Day and ask whether it will be open. Do not assume based on what you read online — policies change by location.
Online-only banks (Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, Marcus) have no physical branches, so the question does not apply to them. Their services run around the clock, and you can transfer money, pay bills, and deposit checks remotely on Memorial Day just as you would on any other day.
What you can and cannot do on Memorial Day
| Service | Available on Memorial Day? | How to do it |
|---|---|---|
| Check your balance | Yes | Mobile app, website, or ATM |
| Transfer money between your own accounts | Yes | Mobile app or website (posts Tuesday) |
| Pay a bill online | Yes | Mobile app or website (posts Tuesday) |
| Deposit a check remotely | Yes | Mobile app or ATM (posts Tuesday) |
| Withdraw cash | Yes | ATM only |
| Speak to a teller in person | No | Wait until Tuesday or call customer service |
| Get a cashier's check | No | Plan ahead or wait until Tuesday |
| Wire money to another bank | Yes | Mobile app or website (posts Tuesday) |
| Report a lost or stolen card | Yes | Call customer service (24/7 line) |
The critical detail: transactions you initiate on Memorial Day through digital channels usually do not post until Tuesday. A transfer you make Monday evening will not clear until the next business day. This matters if you are counting on money arriving by a specific time.
Your debit card works at ATMs and stores on Memorial Day regardless of whether your branch is open. You can withdraw cash from any ATM in your bank's network, and you can make purchases anywhere that accepts cards. The only thing you cannot do is visit a teller in person or request services that require a branch employee.
How to prepare if you need banking services on Memorial Day
If you know you will need cash on Memorial Day, withdraw it on Friday or Saturday. ATMs dispense cash 24/7, but if your account is low or you need a large amount, get it before the weekend. The same logic applies to checks — if you need to deposit one, use your bank's mobile app or an ATM deposit slot on Monday, and it will post Tuesday morning.
If you need a cashier's check or a service that requires a teller, request it on Friday. Many banks can prepare a cashier's check in advance if you ask, and you can pick it up before the holiday. Call your branch and explain what you need and when you need it by. For bill payments or transfers that have a deadline, do not wait until Monday. Process them on Friday or Saturday through your bank's website or app. This removes the risk of a holiday delay pushing your payment past a due date.
What happens to deposits and transfers on Memorial Day
A check you deposit through a mobile app or ATM on Memorial Day will not be processed until Tuesday. Your bank receives it, but the funds do not clear until the next business day. This is standard practice for all federal holidays. The same rule applies to transfers between banks (ACH transfers) and wire transfers initiated on Monday. If you send money to another person's account on Memorial Day, it will arrive on Tuesday at the earliest. Some banks take an extra day, so Wednesday is also possible depending on the receiving bank.
Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank usually post faster — sometimes the same day if you initiate them before a certain time (often 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.), but on a holiday, expect Tuesday. Check your bank's website for its specific cutoff times. A check deposited on Monday through a mobile app or ATM will post on Tuesday, but it may not fully clear (be available to spend) until Wednesday or later, depending on the check amount and your bank's policy. Large checks sometimes take longer.
Calling customer service on Memorial Day
Most banks operate their customer service phone lines on Memorial Day, though wait times are often longer than usual. If you need to report fraud, a lost card, or a critical account issue, call the number on the back of your card — these lines run 24/7 and are staffed even on holidays.
For routine questions (checking a balance, asking about a pending transaction, requesting a service), you may reach a representative, but it could take 30 minutes or more. If your question is not urgent, waiting until Tuesday is usually faster. The 24/7 customer service line is your best option if you have a time-sensitive problem that cannot wait.
Planning ahead for refunds and government payments on Memorial Day
If you are expecting a tax refund, stimulus payment, or other government deposit to arrive around Memorial Day, the timing can be tricky. The federal government does not process deposits on holidays, so a payment scheduled to arrive on Monday will actually arrive on Tuesday. If you see a deposit date listed as Memorial Day, assume it will hit your account on Tuesday instead.
The same applies to business refunds, insurance payouts, and other ACH deposits from third parties. They do not clear on federal holidays. If you are waiting for money and the expected date falls on Memorial Day, plan for it to arrive the next business day. This is especially important if you are counting on that money to cover a bill or payment due on Tuesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Memorial Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at ATMs and stores on Memorial Day regardless of whether your branch is open. You can withdraw cash from any ATM in your bank's network, and you can make purchases anywhere that accepts cards.
What if I need a cashier's check on Memorial Day?
You cannot get one on Memorial Day itself. Call your bank on Friday and request one in advance — many branches will prepare it for you to pick up before the holiday. If you did not plan ahead, you will need to wait until Tuesday.
Do credit unions close on Memorial Day?
Most credit unions close on Memorial Day, just like banks. However, some credit unions serving specific groups (military members, government employees) may have different schedules. Call your credit union to confirm its holiday hours.
If I wire money on Memorial Day, when does it arrive?
Wire transfers initiated on Memorial Day through online banking will process on Tuesday, not the same day. The receiving bank will get the transfer on Tuesday, so the recipient may not see the funds until Tuesday or Wednesday depending on their bank's processing time.
Will a check I deposit on Memorial Day clear by Wednesday?
Probably not. A check deposited on Monday through a mobile app or ATM will post on Tuesday, but it may not fully clear until Wednesday or later, depending on the check amount and your bank's policy. Large checks sometimes take longer to clear.