Most banks close on federal holidays, but not all of them, and the rules vary by bank and state

Yes, banks close on federal holidays — but the list is shorter than you might think, and some banks stay open anyway. The federal holidays that typically close banks are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. However, your specific bank may close on different days, may stay open on some federal holidays, or may have branches with different hours. The only way to know for certain is to check your bank's website or call your branch directly.

Banks are not required by federal law to close on any particular day. The Federal Reserve and most major banks choose to close on the eleven federal holidays listed above, but smaller banks, credit unions, and online banks sometimes operate on different schedules. Some banks close on state holidays that are not federal holidays — for example, banks in some Southern states close on Confederate Memorial Day. Others stay open on federal holidays but close on different days for religious observances or local events.

Key Takeaways

  • The eleven federal holidays when most banks close are New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
  • Your specific bank may close on different days or stay open on federal holidays, so checking your bank's website or calling ahead is the only reliable way to know.
  • Online banks and credit unions often have different holiday schedules than brick-and-mortar banks, and some may process transactions even when physical branches are closed.
  • If you need to access money on a holiday, ATMs and online banking typically remain available even when branches are closed.
  • Bank wire transfers, check clearing, and ACH payments may be delayed if they are initiated on or near a federal holiday.

The eleven federal holidays when most banks close

The Federal Reserve observes eleven holidays each year, and most major banks follow the same schedule. These are: 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 (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25).

On these days, the Federal Reserve does not process payments, which means wire transfers, ACH transfers, and check clearing are delayed. Most major banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank — close their physical branches on all eleven of these days. However, closing a branch does not mean the bank stops working entirely. Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs usually remain available, and some transactions may process overnight once the holiday ends.

Banks that stay open or have different schedules

Not every bank closes on every federal holiday. Some credit unions, regional banks, and online-only banks operate on different schedules. For example, some credit unions stay open on Columbus Day or Veterans Day but close on other days. Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Marcus typically do not have physical branches to close, so they do not observe traditional holiday closures in the same way — though they may still delay processing certain transactions.

State-chartered banks may also close on state holidays that are not federal holidays. For instance, banks in Texas may close on San Jacinto Day (March 2), and banks in some Southern states close on Confederate Memorial Day. If your bank is small, regional, or based in a specific state, check their website for a complete holiday schedule rather than assuming they follow the federal list.

What you can and cannot do when banks are closed

When a bank branch is closed on a holiday, you can still use ATMs to withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks (though the deposit may not post until the next business day). You can also log into online banking and mobile apps to view accounts, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up future transactions. However, you cannot speak to a banker, get a cashier's check, or resolve account problems that require human intervention.

Wire transfers, ACH transfers, and check clearing do not process on federal holidays because the Federal Reserve is closed. If you initiate a wire transfer on a holiday, it will not leave your account until the next business day. Checks deposited on a holiday may not clear until two or three business days later, depending on when the holiday falls in the week. If you need money urgently on a holiday, an ATM withdrawal or a transfer between your own accounts are your only options.

How to find your bank's specific holiday schedule

The fastest way to find out whether your bank is open on a specific day is to visit your bank's website and look for "holiday hours" or "branch hours." Most banks publish their full holiday schedule at the beginning of the year. You can also call your local branch directly — the phone line usually has a recorded message listing holiday closures. If you use an online bank, check their website for information about transaction processing on holidays.

If you are unsure whether a transaction will process on a particular day, ask your bank directly. For example, if you need a wire transfer to go out on a Monday that follows a federal holiday, call and confirm that the Federal Reserve will be processing payments that day. Some banks also send email or text alerts about holiday closures, so signing up for notifications can help you plan ahead.

Planning around bank holidays and payment delays

If you have a bill due on or near a federal holiday, initiate the payment at least one business day before the holiday. For example, if a payment is due on Monday and Monday is a federal holiday, send the payment on Friday. If you are expecting a deposit or refund, remember that it may not post until the day after the holiday, even if the bank processed it before the holiday began.

Wire transfers are particularly sensitive to holidays. If you need money to arrive by a specific date and that date is near a federal holiday, send the wire at least two business days before the deadline. Check clearing also slows down around holidays — a check deposited on the day before Thanksgiving may not clear until the following Tuesday or Wednesday. If timing is critical, use an electronic transfer method instead of a check.

What happens to automatic payments and direct deposits on holidays

Automatic bill payments and direct deposits scheduled for a federal holiday usually process on the next business day instead. For example, if your paycheck is set to deposit on Christmas and Christmas falls on a Wednesday, the deposit typically arrives on Thursday. Automatic payments work the same way — if a payment is scheduled for a holiday, it goes out the next business day. However, this can affect your account balance and due dates, so check with your employer or biller if you are unsure.

Some banks and billers process automatic transactions a day early if they fall on a holiday, while others delay them a day. If you have a tight budget or a payment due on a holiday, contact your bank or biller ahead of time to confirm when the transaction will actually post. Do not assume that a payment scheduled for a holiday will go out on that day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs and debit cards work on bank holidays because they do not require the bank branch to be open. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at ATMs 24/7. However, check deposits may not post to your account until the next business day.

Will my direct deposit arrive on time if it is scheduled for a federal holiday?

Usually it will arrive the next business day instead. For example, if your paycheck is scheduled to deposit on Thanksgiving, it typically arrives on Friday. Contact your employer if you need to confirm the exact timing, especially if you have bills due around the holiday.

Do wire transfers process on federal holidays?

No. The Federal Reserve does not process wire transfers on federal holidays, so wires initiated on a holiday will not leave your account until the next business day. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, send the wire at least two business days before that date.

What if my bank is open on a day I thought was a holiday?

Some banks stay open on certain federal holidays, and some observe state holidays instead. Check your bank's website or call your branch to confirm their specific holiday schedule. Do not assume all banks close on the same days.

Can I get a cashier's check on a bank holiday?

No. Cashier's checks require a banker to issue them, so you cannot get one when the branch is closed. If you need a cashier's check urgently, plan ahead and get it before the holiday, or use a different payment method like a wire transfer or electronic check.