Most U.S. banks close on Rosh Hashanah, but the exact date changes every year

Rosh Hashanah is a federal holiday in the United States, which means most banks observe it and close their branches. However, Rosh Hashanah follows the Hebrew calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, so it falls on a different date each year. In 2024, Rosh Hashanah runs from sundown on September 22 through sundown on September 24. In 2025, it runs from sundown on October 2 through sundown on October 4. Check your bank's website or call ahead if you need to confirm whether your specific branch will be closed.

Not every bank treats Rosh Hashanah the same way. Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank close on Rosh Hashanah. Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different policies. Some branches in areas with smaller Jewish populations may stay open. If you bank with a smaller institution or a credit union, contact them directly rather than assuming they will be closed.

Key Takeaways

  • Rosh Hashanah is a federal holiday, so most major U.S. banks close their branches on both days of the observance.
  • The dates of Rosh Hashanah change each year because it follows the Hebrew calendar—check the current year's dates before you plan.
  • Large national banks close, but credit unions and regional banks may have different hours, so call your bank to confirm.
  • ATMs and online banking remain available even when branches are closed, so you can still access your money.
  • If you need cash or services that require a teller, plan ahead and visit your bank before the holiday begins.

How to plan banking needs around Rosh Hashanah

If you know you will need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to a teller, visit your bank the day before Rosh Hashanah begins. Most branches close at their normal time on the day before the holiday, so you have a full business day to handle what you need. If Rosh Hashanah falls on a Thursday and Friday, your bank will be closed Thursday and Friday, but open again on Monday.

For deposits and withdrawals, use your ATM or mobile app instead of waiting for a branch to reopen. ATMs work 24/7 regardless of holiday closures. Mobile deposits—where you photograph a check and submit it through your bank's app—also work on holidays. These options mean you do not have to wait until the branch reopens to move money or deposit checks.

What services stay available when banks close

Your debit card, credit card, and online banking account all work during Rosh Hashanah, even though the branch is closed. You can pay bills online, transfer money between your own accounts, and check your balance at any time. Automatic bill payments and direct deposits continue to process normally. Wire transfers initiated before the holiday will go through, though new wire requests may not be processed until the branch reopens.

ATM withdrawals and deposits (if your ATM accepts deposits) work around the clock. If you need cash before the holiday, withdraw it then. If you have a check to deposit, use mobile deposit through your bank's app or wait until the branch reopens—checks deposited on the holiday may not clear until the following business day anyway.

When your bank reopens after Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah lasts two days. If it falls on Thursday and Friday, your bank reopens on Monday at its normal opening time. If it falls on Friday and Saturday, your bank reopens on Sunday or Monday depending on whether your bank opens on Sundays. Check your bank's regular hours to know when to expect them to reopen.

The day the branch reopens may be busier than usual because other customers will also be handling banking needs they postponed. If you can wait a day or two, you may experience shorter wait times. If you need immediate service, arrive early or use online and mobile options instead.

How to find your bank's specific holiday hours

Call your bank's customer service number or visit their website and search for "holiday hours." Most banks publish their holiday schedule weeks in advance. You can also ask a teller in person the next time you visit. If you bank with a large national chain, their website usually has a branch locator where you can enter your zip code and see hours for your specific location.

Some branches in areas with significant Jewish populations may close for both days of Rosh Hashanah, while branches in other areas might close for only one day or have reduced hours. This variation is why calling or checking online is more reliable than assuming all branches follow the same schedule.

Planning for payroll and bill payments

If you receive a paycheck by direct deposit, it will arrive in your account on the normal payday even if it falls during Rosh Hashanah. Direct deposit does not depend on branch hours. If you receive a paper check, deposit it before the holiday or use mobile deposit during the holiday.

Bills you pay online will process normally during the holiday. If you mail a check, account for extra time since the mail may be delayed and the recipient's bank may also be closed. Automatic bill payments set up in advance will continue to process. If you need to make a payment that requires a teller or cashier's check, handle it before the holiday begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Rosh Hashanah if the bank is closed?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The holiday closure only affects the physical branch location, not the card network or your account access.

Will my direct deposit still arrive if Rosh Hashanah falls on payday?

Yes. Direct deposits are processed automatically by the banking system and do not depend on branch hours. Your paycheck will arrive on the scheduled date even if it is a holiday.

What if I need to deposit a check during Rosh Hashanah?

Use mobile deposit through your bank's app if your bank offers it. Photograph the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, wait until the branch reopens. Checks deposited during the holiday may not clear until the next business day anyway.

Do credit unions close on Rosh Hashanah?

Some do and some do not. Credit unions are not required to follow federal holiday schedules the way banks are. Call your credit union to confirm their Rosh Hashanah hours rather than assuming they will be closed.

How do I know the exact dates of Rosh Hashanah this year?

Rosh Hashanah dates change each year because the Hebrew calendar does not align with the Gregorian calendar. Search "Rosh Hashanah 2024" or "Rosh Hashanah 2025" to find the current year's dates, or check your bank's website, which usually lists holiday closures by date.