Most banks are closed the day after Thanksgiving
The day after Thanksgiving — the Friday after the fourth Thursday in November — is not a federal holiday, but most major banks treat it as one anyway. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most regional banks close their branches on this day. Your bank's customer service lines and online banking remain available, but you cannot walk in or use the ATM inside a staffed branch.
Some smaller community banks and credit unions stay open on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Call your specific branch the day before to confirm their hours, or check their website — most post holiday schedules in early November.
ATMs that are not inside a branch building (standalone machines, grocery store ATMs, gas station ATMs) work normally on the day after Thanksgiving. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at these machines regardless of whether branches are closed.
Key Takeaways
- Major national banks close their branches the day after Thanksgiving, though ATMs outside branch buildings remain available.
- Online banking, mobile apps, and phone customer service lines operate normally on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different hours, so contact your bank directly to confirm.
- Any transaction that requires a teller — deposits, withdrawals at the counter, loan applications — must wait until Saturday or Monday.
- Wire transfers and bill payments can be submitted online or by phone on the day after Thanksgiving, though processing may not begin until the next business day.
What you can and cannot do on the day after Thanksgiving
If your bank is closed, you can still handle most routine tasks through digital channels. Transferring money between your own accounts, paying bills online, setting up automatic payments, and checking your balance all work through your bank's website or app. You can also call customer service to report fraud, ask questions, or request account changes.
What you cannot do is deposit a check at a teller, withdraw large amounts of cash at the counter, open a new account in person, or conduct any transaction that requires a banker's signature. If you need cash and the ATM limit is not enough, you will have to wait until the branch reopens.
Wire transfers submitted online or by phone on the day after Thanksgiving usually enter the queue but do not process until the next business day. The same applies to check deposits submitted through mobile deposit — they are received but not cleared until the bank processes them.
When your bank reopens after the holiday
Most banks reopen on Saturday morning with reduced hours, typically 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If Saturday is not convenient, branches return to full weekday hours on Monday. Call ahead or check your bank's website to confirm Saturday hours at your specific branch, because not all locations open on Saturday.
If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash before Monday, Saturday morning is your window. Bring your ID and account number. If your branch does not open Saturday, Monday is your next option.
Planning ahead to avoid branch closures
If you know you will need cash or need to make a deposit over the Thanksgiving weekend, withdraw or deposit on Wednesday before the holiday. Most banks stay open on Wednesday with normal hours. This gives you a buffer in case you need more cash than you expected.
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, locate a branch or ATM of your bank (or a partner bank in their network) near where you will be staying. Many banks belong to shared ATM networks — for example, most credit unions participate in the CO-OP or Allpoint networks, which means you can use thousands of ATMs nationwide without a fee.
Set up mobile deposit on your phone before the holiday if you have not already. This feature lets you photograph the front and back of a check and submit it through your bank's app, which is faster and more convenient than waiting for a branch to reopen.
What to do if you need cash and the ATM is down
If the ATM at your bank's branch is not working or out of service, use an ATM at a different location — a grocery store, gas station, or another bank's branch. You may pay a small out-of-network fee (usually $2 to $3), but you will get your cash.
If you are in a true emergency and cannot access cash any other way, some retailers (grocery stores, pharmacies, big-box stores) will let you withdraw cash back when you make a purchase with your debit card. This is not a substitute for planning ahead, but it is an option if you are stuck.
How to find your bank's specific hours
The fastest way to confirm whether your branch is open on the day after Thanksgiving is to search "[Your Bank Name] hours" on Google or visit your bank's website directly. Most banks post holiday schedules by early November. You can also call your branch's main number — the greeting will tell you if they are closed, and the message usually lists when they reopen.
If you bank with a credit union, check their website or call the main number. Credit union hours vary widely by location, and some stay open on days when major banks close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card to buy things the day after Thanksgiving if my bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at stores, restaurants, and online regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The transaction processes through your bank's system even when the physical branch is closed. You can also withdraw cash back at a store when you make a purchase.
Will my direct deposit hit my account on the day after Thanksgiving?
If your employer's payroll processes on Friday and your bank is closed, the deposit may not appear in your account until Saturday or Monday, depending on your bank's processing schedule. Contact your employer's payroll department to confirm when they send payroll, then call your bank to ask when deposits posted on Friday are cleared.
What if I need to deposit a check before Monday?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app if you have not set it up yet — you can photograph the check and submit it from anywhere. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, visit a branch on Saturday morning if it is open, or wait until Monday. Checks deposited on Friday after the branch closes are usually processed on Monday.
Do credit unions close on the day after Thanksgiving?
Most credit unions close on the day after Thanksgiving, but not all. Call your credit union's main number or check their website to confirm. Some smaller credit unions stay open with regular hours, while others close for the entire Thanksgiving weekend.
Can I pay my bills online if my bank is closed?
Yes. Bill pay through your bank's website or app works on the day after Thanksgiving. The payment is submitted and queued, but it may not process until the next business day. If you have a bill due on Friday, submit the payment on Wednesday or earlier to be safe.