Most banks are closed on Columbus Day, but some branches and ATMs stay open
Columbus Day is a federal holiday, and most major banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank — close their physical branches on that day. However, the closure is not absolute. ATMs remain available 24/7 at nearly all banks, and some credit unions and smaller regional banks keep limited hours or stay fully open. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to a banker in person, you should plan ahead or check your specific bank's website the day before.
The timing matters because Columbus Day falls on the second Monday in October each year. If you have banking needs that require a teller or loan officer, you cannot count on walking into a branch that day. Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs work normally, so transfers and bill payments go through without delay.
Key Takeaways
- Major national banks close their branches on Columbus Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available around the clock.
- Credit unions and community banks sometimes stay open or keep reduced hours on Columbus Day, so calling ahead is worth the effort.
- Checks deposited at an ATM on Columbus Day may not post until the next business day because the bank is not processing deposits that day.
- Wire transfers, bill payments, and account transfers initiated online or by phone on Columbus Day typically process the next business day.
- If you need cash or have an urgent banking need, locate an ATM or call your bank's customer service line before the holiday to confirm options.
Which banks close and which stay open on Columbus Day
The largest banks in the United States — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, PNC, and TD Bank — all close their branches on Columbus Day. This is a standard federal holiday closure for banks that operate nationally. However, the closure applies only to physical branch locations where you speak to a teller or banker. Drive-through ATMs, lobby ATMs, and online banking all function normally.
Credit unions vary by institution. Some credit unions, particularly those affiliated with larger networks like CO-OP or Allpoint, may stay open or run on modified hours. Call your credit union directly the day before Columbus Day to confirm. Community banks and smaller regional institutions also vary — some treat Columbus Day as a full closure, while others remain open because they are not federally chartered or choose to operate on federal holidays. Your best move is to contact your bank by phone or check their website for holiday hours.
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have no physical branches, so Columbus Day does not affect their operations. You can transfer money, pay bills, or deposit checks via mobile app or website without interruption.
What you can and cannot do on Columbus Day
You can: Withdraw cash from any ATM, check your account balance, transfer money between your own accounts online or by phone, deposit checks at an ATM (if your bank offers mobile deposit or ATM check deposit), pay bills through online banking, and contact customer service by phone. Most banks staff their phone lines on federal holidays, though wait times may be longer.
You cannot: Speak to a teller in person, open a new account at a branch, apply for a loan or credit card in person, order a cashier's check, report a lost or stolen debit card to someone face-to-face, or resolve disputes that require a banker's intervention. If you need to report fraud or a lost card, call the customer service number on the back of your card — it operates 24/7 even on holidays.
Checks deposited at an ATM on Columbus Day will not be processed until the next business day (Tuesday if Columbus Day falls on a Monday). The funds may not appear in your account for one to two business days after that, depending on your bank's processing schedule. If you need the money urgently, deposit the check before the holiday.
How to find your bank's Columbus Day hours
The fastest way to confirm your bank's hours is to visit their website and search for "holiday hours" or "Columbus Day hours." Most major banks post this information in September or early October. You can also call the customer service number on your debit card or the branch directly — the phone line will usually tell you the branch is closed and may provide alternative options.
If you use a smaller bank or credit union, call the branch directly. Do not assume they follow the federal holiday schedule. Some community banks and credit unions operate on Columbus Day because they are not required to close, and a five-minute call saves you a wasted trip.
Google Maps also shows holiday hours for many bank branches. Search your bank name and location, and the hours panel will often display "Closed — Columbus Day" or show modified hours if the branch is open.
Planning ahead for Columbus Day banking needs
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check before Columbus Day, do it the Friday before. This gives you a full business day to handle the transaction and ensures your deposit posts before the holiday. If you are waiting for a wire transfer or payment to arrive, remember that it will not process on Columbus Day — plan your budget accordingly if the money is due that day.
For bill payments, use online banking or your biller's website to schedule the payment for the day after Columbus Day. This ensures the payment posts on time and avoids any confusion about whether the bank processed it during the holiday. If a bill is due on Columbus Day itself, pay it the day before.
If you need a cashier's check, certified check, or other service that requires a banker, request it before the holiday. Many banks can prepare these in advance if you ask, and you can pick them up the day before or the day after Columbus Day.
What happens to deposits and transfers on Columbus Day
Deposits made at an ATM on Columbus Day enter the system, but the bank does not process them until the next business day. This means a check you deposit at 11 p.m. on Columbus Day will not be scanned, verified, or credited to your account until Tuesday (or Wednesday, depending on your bank's processing schedule). The funds may take an additional one to two business days to clear, depending on the check's origin bank.
Transfers you initiate online or by phone on Columbus Day are queued and processed the next business day. If you transfer money from your checking account to savings on Columbus Day evening, the transfer completes on Tuesday. Wire transfers initiated on Columbus Day are also held until the next business day, so if you need money to arrive urgently, initiate the wire before the holiday.
Payments you schedule through online banking on Columbus Day are processed according to the date you select. If you schedule a bill payment for Tuesday, it processes Tuesday regardless of when you schedule it. This is one of the advantages of online banking — the holiday does not interrupt scheduled transactions.
ATM access and cash withdrawal on Columbus Day
ATMs are open 24/7 on Columbus Day at virtually every bank. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between accounts, and deposit checks (if your bank offers ATM deposit) without any interruption. If your bank charges ATM fees for out-of-network withdrawals, those fees still apply on Columbus Day — the holiday does not waive them.
If you use a bank that is part of a shared ATM network — such as Allpoint, Moneypass, or CO-OP — you can withdraw cash from any ATM in that network on Columbus Day. Confirm your bank's network membership on their website so you know where to find an ATM if your home branch is not convenient.
If you need a large amount of cash on Columbus Day and your ATM has a daily withdrawal limit, plan ahead. Most ATMs limit withdrawals to $500 or $1,000 per day, though some allow higher amounts. Call your bank before the holiday to ask about increasing your daily limit temporarily if you need more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit on Columbus Day if my employer uses direct deposit?
Direct deposit payroll processes on schedule regardless of federal holidays. If your employer's payroll system is set to deposit on Monday (Columbus Day), the money transfers to your account on that day. However, if your employer processes payroll on Friday and schedules deposits for Monday, the deposit still goes through. Check with your employer's payroll department if you are unsure when your paycheck will arrive.
Can I use my debit card to make purchases on Columbus Day?
Yes. Debit card transactions at stores, restaurants, and online retailers process normally on Columbus Day. The bank holiday does not affect point-of-sale transactions. The money is deducted from your account immediately or within one business day, depending on the merchant and your bank.
What if I need to report fraud on Columbus Day?
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or credit card. Bank fraud departments operate 24/7, including on federal holidays. Report the fraud immediately, and the bank will freeze your card and begin an investigation. Do not wait until the next business day.
Do online banks close on Columbus Day?
No. Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover, and others have no physical branches, so Columbus Day does not affect their operations. You can transfer money, deposit checks via mobile app, and access your account normally.
Will a check I deposit on Columbus Day clear by Wednesday?
Probably not. A check deposited at an ATM on Columbus Day will not be processed until Tuesday, and clearing typically takes one to two additional business days. If the check is from another bank, it may take longer. Plan for the funds to arrive by Thursday or Friday if you deposit on Columbus Day.