Most banks close on Thanksgiving Day, but some branches and ATMs stay available
Yes, the vast majority of banks close on Thanksgiving Day. All major national banks — Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — shut their physical branches on Thanksgiving. The Federal Reserve also closes, which means no wire transfers or ACH payments process that day. However, ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance even when branches are closed.
The day after Thanksgiving (the Friday) banks reopen at their normal hours, usually 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., depending on the branch. If you need cash or have banking business, plan ahead: withdraw what you need before Wednesday, or use an ATM on Thanksgiving itself.
Key Takeaways
- All major bank branches close on Thanksgiving Day; ATMs and online banking work normally.
- Wire transfers and ACH payments do not process on Thanksgiving because the Federal Reserve is closed.
- Banks reopen the day after Thanksgiving at their regular weekday hours.
- Credit unions may have different hours, so check with your specific institution before the holiday.
- Plan cash withdrawals for before Wednesday if you need money over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Which banks are closed and which stay open
Every major bank in the United States closes its branches on Thanksgiving Day. This includes Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, PNC, TD Bank, and regional banks. The closure is federal — Thanksgiving is a national holiday, and banks are required to close on federal holidays.
Some credit unions may have different policies, so if you bank with a credit union, call ahead or check their website. A small number of credit unions stay open on Thanksgiving, though most follow the same schedule as traditional banks. Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have no physical branches, so the closure does not affect them directly, but they still do not process wire transfers or ACH payments on Thanksgiving.
What you can still do on Thanksgiving
ATMs work on Thanksgiving. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a mobile deposit feature), and check your account balance at any time. This is the most reliable way to get cash if you need it on the holiday itself.
Online banking portals and mobile apps work normally on Thanksgiving. You can view your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills scheduled for future dates, and review transactions. However, any payment you schedule for Thanksgiving itself will not actually process until the next business day (Friday). If you send a wire transfer or ACH payment on Thanksgiving, it will sit in a queue and process on Friday morning.
Wire transfers and ACH payments on Thanksgiving
The Federal Reserve does not operate on Thanksgiving, which means wire transfers and ACH payments (like direct deposits or bill payments) do not move on that day. If you initiate a wire transfer on Thanksgiving morning, it will not leave your account until Friday. The same applies to ACH payments — they will not reach the recipient until Friday at the earliest.
If you need to send money urgently before Thanksgiving, do it by Wednesday. If you are expecting a payment (such as a paycheck) that normally arrives on Thursday, it will arrive on Friday instead if Thanksgiving falls on Thursday. Some employers adjust payroll schedules around the holiday, so check with your HR department if you are unsure.
Planning ahead for the Thanksgiving weekend
Withdraw cash on Wednesday or earlier if you know you will need it over the Thanksgiving weekend. Most people do not realize ATMs have daily withdrawal limits — typically $500 to $1,000 per day depending on your bank — so if you need more than that, plan multiple withdrawals or visit the branch before it closes.
If you have bills due on or around Thanksgiving, schedule them to pay on Wednesday or earlier. Do not wait until Thursday morning. If a bill is due on Friday, you can schedule it to pay on Friday through your online banking portal, and it will process that day since banks reopen.
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, locate ATMs near where you will be staying. Use your bank's ATM locator tool on their website or app. If you use an out-of-network ATM, you may pay a fee ($2 to $3 typically), but it is faster than trying to find a branch.
What happens if you need emergency banking on Thanksgiving
If you have a genuine emergency — a fraudulent charge, a frozen account, or a critical banking issue — call your bank's customer service line. Most banks maintain a 24/7 phone line for emergencies on holidays. They cannot process most transactions over the phone, but they can freeze a card, report fraud, or unlock an account. The actual transaction will process on Friday when the branch reopens.
If your debit card is lost or stolen, call immediately. Your bank can cancel it and issue a replacement, though the replacement will not arrive until after the holiday. They can also issue a temporary card number or arrange emergency cash access in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on Thanksgiving?
You can deposit a check using mobile deposit through your bank's app on Thanksgiving, and it will process on Friday. If your ATM has a check deposit slot, you can use that too. However, the funds will not be available until Friday or later, depending on your bank's policy.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Thanksgiving if it normally comes on Thursday?
No. If Thanksgiving falls on Thursday and your paycheck normally arrives Thursday, it will arrive Friday instead. Some employers adjust payroll schedules the week before Thanksgiving to avoid this. Check with your HR department or your pay stub to see if your employer has shifted the deposit date.
Can I use my debit card on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Debit cards work at stores, restaurants, and gas stations on Thanksgiving. The transaction will process normally. You can also use your card at ATMs to withdraw cash. The only thing that does not work is wire transfers and ACH payments through the banking system itself.
Do credit unions have different hours on Thanksgiving?
Most credit unions close on Thanksgiving like traditional banks, but some stay open with reduced hours. Call your credit union or check their website before the holiday. Their ATMs will work regardless of branch hours.
What if I need to pay a bill that is due on Thanksgiving?
Pay it on Wednesday or earlier through your online banking portal or by phone. If the bill is due Friday, you can pay it on Friday morning when banks reopen. Most creditors allow a grace period of a few days, so a payment made Friday for a Thursday due date usually does not result in a late fee, but confirm with the creditor if you are concerned.