Most banks close on Thanksgiving Day, but some branches and ATMs stay open
Yes, the vast majority of banks close on Thanksgiving Day. The Federal Reserve treats Thanksgiving as a federal holiday, which means most traditional banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and regional banks — shut their doors and do not process transactions that day. However, ATMs at those same banks usually stay open 24/7, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance even when the branch is closed.
Credit unions often follow the same schedule as banks, though some smaller credit unions may have different holiday policies. Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover Bank do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense — you can access your account anytime, but customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be closed entirely.
The day after Thanksgiving (the Friday) most banks reopen at their normal hours, usually 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., depending on the branch.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Thanksgiving Day, but ATMs remain available for withdrawals and balance checks.
- Online banks do not close, but their customer service phone lines may be unavailable or have limited hours on the holiday.
- Credit unions typically follow the same holiday schedule as traditional banks, though you should confirm with your specific branch.
- Banks reopen the day after Thanksgiving at their regular business hours, usually between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
- If you need cash or to make a deposit before the holiday, plan ahead — the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is often busy.
What you can and cannot do on Thanksgiving at your bank
On Thanksgiving Day itself, you cannot walk into a branch to deposit checks, withdraw large amounts of cash, open a new account, or speak to a banker in person. You also cannot process wire transfers through a teller, though some banks allow wire transfers through their online platform or mobile app even when branches are closed.
What you can do: withdraw cash from any ATM belonging to your bank or a partner network, check your account balance, transfer money between your own accounts (if your bank's online system is running), and deposit checks using a mobile app if your bank offers mobile check deposit. Debit card purchases at stores and gas stations work normally because those transactions do not require a bank branch to be open.
If you use an out-of-network ATM on Thanksgiving, you may be charged a fee by both your bank and the ATM operator — plan to use your own bank's ATM if possible.
How to prepare before Thanksgiving if you need cash or services
Withdraw the cash you need on Wednesday before Thanksgiving or earlier in the week. Do not wait until Thanksgiving morning — branches are typically crowded the day before a holiday, and you may face long lines. If you know you will need cash over the long weekend, get it out by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.
If you need to deposit a check, use your bank's mobile app to deposit it remotely if that option is available. Most banks allow you to photograph the front and back of a check through their mobile app, and the deposit posts within one to two business days. This works on Thanksgiving Day itself, even though branches are closed.
If you need to make a wire transfer or handle something that requires a banker, do it before Wednesday. Wire transfers initiated after business hours on Wednesday may not process until Friday, which means your money will not arrive at its destination until the following week.
ATM access and online banking on Thanksgiving
ATMs are your most reliable option on Thanksgiving. Your bank's ATMs operate 24/7 in most cases, and you can withdraw cash, deposit cash (at machines that accept deposits), check your balance, and transfer money between accounts. If your bank is part of a shared ATM network like Allpoint or MoneyPass, you may be able to use thousands of ATMs nationwide without a fee.
Online banking and mobile apps continue to work on Thanksgiving because they run on bank servers, not in physical branches. You can log in, check balances, pay bills, and transfer money between your own accounts. However, if you encounter a problem or need to speak to someone, customer service may not be available or may have very limited hours.
Some banks offer 24/7 customer service even on holidays, but you should check your bank's website or call ahead to confirm. If you use a smaller regional bank or credit union, customer service is more likely to be closed on Thanksgiving.
Credit unions and smaller banks on Thanksgiving
Most credit unions close on Thanksgiving just like traditional banks do. However, some credit unions are part of shared branching networks, which means you may be able to conduct basic transactions at another credit union's branch if yours is closed. Check your credit union's website or call ahead to see if they participate in shared branching.
Smaller regional banks follow the same federal holiday schedule as large national banks, so they close on Thanksgiving. However, some very small community banks or local credit unions may have different policies — call your branch directly if you are unsure.
If you belong to a credit union, ask whether they offer online banking and mobile check deposit. These services usually work on holidays even when branches are closed, giving you the same options as online-only banks.
What happens to transactions you start before Thanksgiving closes
If you initiate a transaction on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning before your bank's systems close for the holiday, the timing depends on the type of transaction. Debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals process immediately. Wire transfers initiated before the bank's cutoff time on Wednesday usually process that day, but if you initiate one after hours, it may not process until Friday.
ACH transfers (like paying a bill through your bank's bill-pay system) initiated on Wednesday may process on Thursday or may wait until Friday, depending on your bank's system. Check your bank's website for the exact cutoff time for Thursday processing.
Deposits made through mobile check deposit on Thanksgiving Day typically post to your account by Friday or Monday, depending on when you submit them and your bank's processing schedule. Physical deposits made at an ATM on Thanksgiving may not be processed until Friday.
Planning ahead for the long Thanksgiving weekend
If Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, your bank will be closed Thursday and reopen Friday. However, if you need money over the weekend, remember that most banks are also closed on Saturday and Sunday anyway, so plan your cash withdrawal for Wednesday or earlier.
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, notify your bank before you leave. Some banks flag unusual activity as fraud, and if you are using ATMs in a different state or country, your card may be declined. A quick call to your bank's customer service line before Wednesday can prevent this problem.
If you use multiple banks or have accounts at both a bank and a credit union, confirm the holiday hours for each one. Do not assume they all follow the same schedule — some may have different policies or may be part of networks that stay partially open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Thanksgiving if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit card transactions at stores, gas stations, and restaurants process normally on Thanksgiving because they do not require your bank branch to be open. ATM withdrawals also work 24/7. Only services that require a banker or branch staff — like opening an account or making a large cash deposit in person — are unavailable.
Will my check deposit go through if I use the mobile app on Thanksgiving?
The deposit will be submitted on Thanksgiving, but it will not post to your account until the next business day, which is Friday. Mobile check deposits typically take one to two business days to clear, so a Thanksgiving deposit will likely show up in your account by Friday or Monday depending on the time you submit it.
What if I need cash and forgot to withdraw it before Thanksgiving?
Use an ATM on Thanksgiving Day itself. Your bank's ATMs operate 24/7, so you can withdraw cash anytime. If you need a very large amount and your ATM has a daily withdrawal limit, you may need to make multiple withdrawals or wait until Friday when the branch reopens and you can withdraw more in person.
Do online banks close on Thanksgiving?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not close. You can access your account and move money anytime. However, customer service phone lines may be closed or have reduced hours on Thanksgiving, so if you need to speak to someone, you may have to wait until Friday.
Can I wire money on Thanksgiving?
Wire transfers initiated before your bank's cutoff time on Wednesday will process that day. If you try to initiate a wire on Thanksgiving itself, it will not process until Friday at the earliest. For time-sensitive transfers, complete them by Wednesday afternoon.