Most banks will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The major U.S. banks — Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most regional and community banks — observe MLK Day as a federal holiday and close their physical branches. This means no in-person banking, no teller service, and no access to safe deposit boxes on that day.

However, you can still use ATMs, mobile banking apps, and online banking services. Transfers, bill payments, and account checks work the same way they do on any other day. If you need cash or have a transaction that requires a teller, you'll need to visit on January 20 (Tuesday) or earlier on January 19 (Monday morning, before closing).

Some banks stay open on federal holidays, but this is rare and depends on your specific bank and branch location. Call ahead or check your bank's website to confirm whether your branch is one of the exceptions.

Key Takeaways

  • Physical bank branches close on January 19, 2026, but ATMs and online banking remain available all day.
  • Wire transfers, bill payments, and account transfers made through mobile apps or online banking will process normally.
  • If you need cash or teller service, visit your branch on January 20 or earlier on January 19 before it closes.
  • A small number of banks stay open on MLK Day; call your branch directly to confirm whether yours is one of them.

What you can and cannot do on MLK Day

ATM withdrawals work as usual — you can pull cash 24/7 from your bank's ATM network and most ATM networks your bank partners with. Mobile banking apps let you check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and deposit checks by photo. Online banking through your bank's website works the same way.

What you cannot do is speak to a teller, access a safe deposit box, or get a cashier's check in person. If you need a notary service, that also requires a teller and won't be available. Some banks offer notary services through third-party vendors, but this varies widely.

Incoming deposits (direct deposit, transfers from other banks, checks deposited through mobile apps) may post on January 19 or may wait until January 20, depending on when they were sent and your bank's processing schedule. Outgoing wire transfers initiated before the holiday may process on January 19 or may wait until the next business day — check with your bank about their specific cutoff times.

When to plan ahead for cash and checks

If you need cash for the weekend or early the following week, withdraw it on Friday, January 16, or Saturday, January 17. ATMs are available, but if you need large amounts or have daily withdrawal limits, plan ahead.

If you need a cashier's check, money order, or any service requiring a teller, visit on Friday or earlier in the week. Some banks can issue cashier's checks through their mobile app or online portal, but most still require in-person service.

If you're expecting a check to arrive and need to deposit it quickly, use your mobile app's check deposit feature. Take a photo of the front and back, and the bank will process it. The funds may appear as pending on January 19 or may not clear until January 20, depending on the check's origin and your bank's processing times.

Credit unions and smaller banks

Most credit unions also close on MLK Day, though some remain open. Call your credit union's main line or check their website — they often list holiday hours clearly. The same rules apply: ATMs work, online banking works, but teller service is not available.

Smaller regional banks vary. Some close for all federal holidays; others stay open. Your best move is to call the specific branch you plan to visit and ask about their MLK Day hours. Many banks post holiday schedules on their websites by December of the previous year.

Online banks and fintech services

Banks that operate entirely online (Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, Discover Bank, and others) do not have physical branches, so the holiday does not affect you. You can transfer money, pay bills, and withdraw cash from ATMs just as you would on any other day. Some online banks partner with ATM networks to give you access to thousands of machines nationwide.

Payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App work normally on federal holidays. Transfers between users process as usual, though transfers to your bank account may take an extra day if the receiving bank is closed.

Wire transfers and ACH payments on the holiday

Wire transfers initiated on January 19 may not process until January 20, depending on when you send them and your bank's cutoff time. Most banks have a cutoff in the late morning or early afternoon; anything sent after that typically waits until the next business day. Check your bank's website or call to find out the exact cutoff time.

ACH transfers (the standard way to move money between banks, used for bill payments and direct deposits) also follow the holiday schedule. Transfers you initiate on January 19 may process on that day if sent before the cutoff, or may wait until January 20. The receiving bank's holiday schedule also matters — if the receiving bank is closed, the transfer may not clear until January 21.

If you need money to move urgently and January 19 is a Monday, initiate the transfer on Friday, January 16, to ensure it clears by the time you need it.

What to do if you need emergency cash

If you run out of cash on MLK Day and need money urgently, your options are limited. ATMs are your primary resource — withdraw what you need from your bank's network or a partner network. If you've hit your daily withdrawal limit, you'll have to wait until January 20 when the branch reopens.

Some grocery stores and retailers offer cash back when you use a debit card to make a purchase. This does not count against your ATM withdrawal limit and can be a workaround if you need more cash than your ATM limit allows.

If you need a loan or other financial service, online lenders operate on the holiday, though approval and funding timelines may be longer than usual. This is not a quick solution for same-day cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check on MLK Day?

You can deposit a check through your mobile app by taking photos of the front and back. The bank will process it, though the funds may not appear in your account until January 20. You cannot deposit a check in person at a branch on January 19.

Will my direct deposit post on MLK Day?

Direct deposits sent to your bank on January 19 may post that day or may wait until January 20, depending on when your employer sends the deposit and your bank's processing schedule. Contact your employer or bank if you need to know the exact timing for your paycheck.

What if I need a cashier's check urgently?

Plan ahead and get it on Friday, January 16. Some banks offer cashier's checks through their mobile app or online portal, but most require you to visit a branch in person. Call your bank to ask whether they offer digital cashier's checks.

Are ATMs open on MLK Day?

Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on federal holidays, including MLK Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts at any ATM your bank operates or partners with.

Do I need to do anything special to use online banking on the holiday?

No. Online banking and mobile apps work normally on MLK Day. Log in as you usually would to check balances, pay bills, transfer money, or deposit checks by photo. The only limitation is services that require a teller or in-person visit.