Yes, most banks are closed on Columbus Day 2025

Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 13, 2025. Most major U.S. banks will be closed that day because it is a federal holiday. This includes Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and other national chains. Your local branch will not be staffed, and you will not be able to visit in person.

However, you can still access your money through ATMs and online banking. ATMs work normally on federal holidays, and you can transfer funds, check balances, and pay bills through your bank's website or mobile app without interruption. If you need cash before the holiday, withdraw it on Friday, October 10 or Saturday, October 11.

Some credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different holiday schedules, so check your specific bank's website or call ahead if you are unsure. A few banks stay open on certain federal holidays, though this is rare.

Key Takeaways

  • Major national banks close on Columbus Day (October 13, 2025), but ATMs and online banking remain available.
  • If you need cash or in-person services, plan ahead by visiting your branch on Friday or Saturday before the holiday.
  • Wire transfers, bill payments, and account transfers can all be done online or through your mobile app during the holiday.
  • Credit unions and regional banks may have different schedules, so verify with your bank directly if you are uncertain.

What you can and cannot do on Columbus Day

You cannot visit a bank branch in person on October 13, 2025, or speak to a teller. You also cannot deposit checks at a physical location or access a safe deposit box. If you need to deposit a check, use your bank's mobile app to deposit it remotely, or wait until Tuesday, October 14.

You can withdraw cash from any ATM, including ATMs at other banks (though you may pay a fee). You can pay bills online, transfer money between your own accounts, send money to other people through your bank's app, and check your balance. Credit card payments can be made online anytime. Debit card purchases work normally at stores and restaurants.

If your bank uses a third-party ATM network, those ATMs will work on Columbus Day just like any other day. Some banks reimburse out-of-network ATM fees, so check your account terms if you need to use a different bank's machine.

How to prepare before the holiday

If you know you will need cash over the Columbus Day weekend, withdraw it on Friday, October 10 or Saturday, October 11. Most banks are open on Saturday mornings, though hours vary by location. Check your bank's website for Saturday hours at your nearest branch.

If you need to deposit a check, do it before the holiday closes. Checks deposited on Monday will not be processed until Tuesday at the earliest. If the check is time-sensitive, deposit it Friday or Saturday instead.

Pay any bills that are due around October 13 a few days early. Online bill payments usually take one to three business days to process, so a payment submitted on Friday may not reach the recipient until Tuesday. If you are paying by mail, send it even earlier.

What happens to direct deposits and automatic payments

Direct deposits scheduled for Monday, October 13 will usually be delayed until Tuesday, October 14. Contact your employer or the organization sending the deposit if you need to confirm the timing. Some employers deposit on the Friday before a federal holiday instead, so check your pay schedule.

Automatic bill payments and recurring transfers scheduled for October 13 may process on that day or may be delayed to October 14, depending on your bank. Most banks process automatic payments even on federal holidays, but the timing can shift. If you have a payment due on October 13 that is critical, schedule it for October 12 instead to be safe.

Loan payments, mortgage payments, and credit card payments set to autopay on October 13 should still go through, but verify with your lender if the date is important for avoiding late fees.

How to find your bank's specific holiday schedule

Visit your bank's website and look for "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Hours." Most banks post their federal holiday schedule online. You can also call your local branch directly and ask whether they are open on October 13, 2025.

If you bank with a credit union, check their website or call their main number. Credit unions sometimes observe different holidays than national banks, so do not assume they follow the federal schedule.

Some banks display holiday information in their mobile app under settings or branch locator. This is often the fastest way to confirm without making a phone call.

What to do if you have an urgent banking need

If you have a genuine emergency on Columbus Day itself, call your bank's customer service line. Most banks maintain a phone line for account holders even on federal holidays, though wait times are often longer. You may be able to resolve issues like fraud, account access problems, or payment disputes over the phone.

For wire transfers or urgent transactions, some banks offer online options that work on holidays. Log into your account and check whether the transaction type you need is available. If not, you may need to wait until Tuesday.

If you locked yourself out of your account or forgot your password, you can usually reset it through your bank's website or app without calling anyone. This works on holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Columbus Day?

Yes. Debit cards work at stores, restaurants, gas stations, and ATMs on Columbus Day just like any other day. The holiday only affects bank branch locations and staff, not the payment networks that process card transactions.

Will my paycheck be delayed if it is supposed to arrive on October 13?

Possibly. Direct deposits scheduled for Monday, October 13 often arrive on Tuesday, October 14 instead. Some employers deposit on Friday before the holiday to avoid the delay. Check your pay stub or ask your payroll department what day your October deposit will arrive.

Can I deposit a check using my phone on Columbus Day?

Yes. Mobile check deposit works on federal holidays. Take a photo of the front and back of the check through your bank's app and submit it. The check will be processed when the bank reopens on Tuesday.

What if I need to access my safe deposit box?

You cannot access a safe deposit box on Columbus Day because the bank is closed. Plan ahead if you need something from your box. Visit your branch on Friday or Saturday before the holiday.

Do online banks close on Columbus Day?

No. Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and others do not have physical branches, so they do not close on federal holidays. You can transfer money, withdraw from ATMs, and manage your account normally on October 13.