Yes, most banks close on Veterans Day
Most banks in the United States close on Veterans Day, November 11th, because it is a federal holiday. This includes the major national banks — Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — as well as most regional and community banks. If November 11th falls on a weekend, banks typically observe the holiday on the nearest weekday instead.
The closure affects in-person banking only. You can still use ATMs, mobile banking apps, and online banking services to check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills. However, you cannot visit a branch, speak to a teller, or conduct transactions that require a banker's help.
Credit unions follow the same pattern as banks in most cases, though a small number remain open on federal holidays. Call your credit union directly if you are unsure whether yours will be open.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close their physical branches on Veterans Day (November 11th), but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, plan ahead or use an ATM before the holiday.
- Transfers between your own accounts and bill payments can be done through your bank's app or website.
- If Veterans Day falls on a weekend, your bank will observe the holiday on the nearest weekday — usually Friday if it falls on Saturday, or Monday if it falls on Sunday.
- Credit unions may have different hours, so contact yours directly if you need to confirm.
What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day
ATMs work normally on Veterans Day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks using mobile deposit (through your bank's app), and check your balance at any time. Mobile deposit — where you photograph a check with your phone — processes the same way it does on any other day, though the funds may not clear until the next business day.
Online banking and mobile apps work as usual. You can transfer money between accounts you own at the same bank, send money to another bank using wire transfer or ACH, and pay bills through your bank's bill pay system. These transactions may process immediately or may wait until the next business day, depending on the type of transfer and your bank's rules.
You cannot visit a branch to speak with a banker, deposit cash over the counter, or conduct transactions that require a person's help — such as opening a new account, applying for a loan, or resolving a dispute. If you need cash and do not have access to an ATM, plan to withdraw money before the holiday.
When funds from Veterans Day transactions actually clear
Transactions you make on Veterans Day through ATMs, apps, or online banking may show in your account immediately, but the actual clearing — when the money leaves or enters your account — often happens the next business day. This is because the banking system does not process transactions on federal holidays.
If you deposit a check using mobile deposit on Veterans Day, the photo uploads right away, but the check does not clear until the next business day at the earliest. Large deposits or checks from out-of-state banks may take longer. Wire transfers initiated on Veterans Day typically process the next business day.
Bill payments scheduled through your bank's bill pay system work the same way: if you schedule a payment for Veterans Day, it usually processes on the next business day. If you need a payment to reach someone by a specific date, schedule it for the day before the holiday instead.
Planning ahead if you need cash or to deposit a check
If you know you will need cash on or around Veterans Day, withdraw it from an ATM before the holiday. Most ATMs allow you to withdraw up to $500 or $1,000 per day, depending on your bank and account type, so plan your cash needs accordingly.
If you have a check to deposit, use mobile deposit through your bank's app if possible. Photograph both sides of the check and submit it through the app — this works on Veterans Day and the deposit shows in your account right away (though the funds clear the next business day). If you cannot use mobile deposit, deposit the check at an ATM if your bank offers that service, or wait until the day after the holiday to visit a branch.
If you need to make a large cash deposit or conduct a transaction that requires a banker, plan to do it before Veterans Day or the day after. Do not assume you can handle it on the holiday itself.
What happens if you have a banking emergency on Veterans Day
If your debit card is lost or stolen on Veterans Day, call your bank's customer service number — it is usually on the back of your card or your bank statement. Customer service lines operate on federal holidays, and they can freeze your card immediately to prevent fraud. You can also freeze your card through your mobile banking app on most banks.
If you notice unauthorized transactions on your account, report them to customer service the same way. The bank will open a dispute and investigate, though the formal process may not begin until the next business day. Report fraud as soon as you notice it, even on a holiday.
If you have a genuine emergency that requires a banker — such as a wire transfer that cannot wait — some banks operate a limited customer service line on federal holidays. Call the number on your card to ask whether this service is available. Most people find that their emergency can wait until the next business day.
Veterans Day closures at different types of banks
National banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank close all branches on Veterans Day. Regional banks and community banks do the same in nearly all cases. A very small number of community banks or credit unions may stay open, but this is rare.
Online-only banks — such as Ally, Charles Schwab, or Marcus — do not have physical branches, so there is no branch closure. However, their customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be closed on Veterans Day. Check your bank's website or call ahead if you need to speak with someone.
Credit unions vary. Most close on Veterans Day, but some remain open. Call your credit union directly to confirm its hours. The number is usually on your debit card or your most recent statement.
When Veterans Day falls on a weekend
If November 11th falls on a Saturday, most banks observe the holiday on Friday, November 10th. If it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday, November 12th. This means the branch closure happens on the observed date, not the actual date.
Check your bank's website or call your branch to confirm which day it will be closed. Some banks post holiday hours weeks in advance, so you can plan accordingly. ATMs and online banking work normally regardless of which day the holiday is observed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at ATMs and at any merchant that accepts cards, regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. You can withdraw cash from any ATM and make purchases anywhere. The only thing you cannot do is visit a branch in person.
Will a check I deposit on Veterans Day clear the same day?
No. Checks deposited on Veterans Day — whether at an ATM or through mobile deposit — do not clear until the next business day at the earliest. The deposit shows in your account right away, but the funds are not available to spend until the following day.
What if I need to wire money on Veterans Day?
You can initiate a wire transfer through your bank's online banking or mobile app on Veterans Day, but it will not process until the next business day. If you need the money to arrive on a specific date, initiate the transfer the day before the holiday instead.
Are credit unions closed on Veterans Day?
Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, but not all. Call your credit union directly to confirm its hours. The number is on your debit card or statement.
Can I still pay bills on Veterans Day?
Yes, you can schedule bill payments through your bank's bill pay system on Veterans Day using your app or website. The payment will process on the next business day. If you need the payment to arrive by a specific date, schedule it for the day before the holiday.