Most banks are closed on Presidents Day, but some branches and services stay open
Presidents Day is a federal holiday, and most banks observe it by closing their physical branches. This means you cannot walk in to deposit checks, withdraw cash, or speak to a teller on that day. However, the specifics depend on which bank you use and what you need to do.
Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank close their branches on Presidents Day. Regional banks and credit unions typically do the same. ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7, so you can transfer money, check balances, and pay bills from your phone or computer even when branches are closed.
If you need to deposit a check or handle something that requires a teller, you will have to wait until the next business day. Some banks open earlier than usual the day after the holiday to handle the backlog, but this varies by location.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Presidents Day, but ATMs and online banking work normally.
- You can still transfer money, pay bills, and check your account balance through your bank's app or website.
- Check deposits made through mobile deposit on Presidents Day may not post until the following business day.
- Call your specific branch ahead of time if you need to confirm their holiday hours, as some smaller banks or credit unions may have different schedules.
What you can and cannot do on Presidents Day
ATMs work around the clock, so you can withdraw cash and deposit checks using your bank's ATM on Presidents Day. Mobile deposit — taking a photo of a check through your bank's app — also works on the holiday, though the funds may not post to your account until the next business day or later, depending on when the bank processes it.
Online banking and your bank's mobile app function normally. You can transfer money between your own accounts, send money to other people through services like Zelle or your bank's bill pay system, and view your balance and transaction history.
What you cannot do is speak to a teller, open a new account in person, get a cashier's check, or handle anything that requires a banker's signature. If you need a loan decision, a safe deposit box opened, or a notarized document, that has to wait until the branch reopens.
How to learn about your specific bank is open
The safest approach is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly. Most banks publish their holiday hours online, usually in a section labeled "Hours" or "Locations." Search for your bank's name plus "Presidents Day hours" to find this information quickly.
If you use a smaller regional bank or credit union, call ahead. Some credit unions and community banks do not observe all federal holidays, and a few may stay open with reduced hours. Your branch's phone number is on your debit card, your statements, or your bank's website.
You can also text or chat with your bank's customer service through their app or website. Most large banks offer 24/7 support this way, and they can confirm whether your specific branch is closed and what services are available to you on the holiday.
When banks reopen after Presidents Day
Banks reopen on the next business day after Presidents Day, which is typically a Tuesday. Most branches open at their normal time — usually 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., depending on the location. Some branches may open earlier or stay open later that day to handle customers who could not visit during the holiday.
If you deposited a check through an ATM or mobile deposit on Presidents Day, it may not show up in your account until the day the bank reopens, or sometimes the day after that. The exact timing depends on when the bank's processing center receives and scans the deposit. Do not assume the money is there until you see it post to your account.
If you need cash urgently on Presidents Day, use an ATM. If you need something that requires a teller and cannot wait, look for banks or credit unions in your area that do not observe the holiday — some independent banks and certain credit unions stay open.
Planning ahead to avoid delays
If you know you will need to deposit a check or handle banking business around Presidents Day, do it the day before the holiday. This prevents your deposit from sitting in a queue and ensures the money posts to your account faster.
For recurring bills or transfers, set them up through online bill pay or automatic transfers ahead of time. These process on schedule even when branches are closed, so you do not have to worry about missing a payment date.
If you are expecting a direct deposit or a refund to hit your account around Presidents Day, remember that the bank's processing may be delayed by a day. Payroll and government payments sometimes post a day later when they fall on or near a federal holiday, depending on your bank's processing schedule.
What happens to checks and deposits on Presidents Day
Checks you deposit through an ATM or mobile deposit on Presidents Day enter the processing queue, but they do not get scanned and cleared until the bank reopens. This means the funds will not post to your account on the holiday itself — they will post the next business day or the day after, depending on when the bank processes them.
If you need the money from a check urgently, deposit it the day before Presidents Day instead. This gives the bank time to process it and make the funds available to you sooner.
Checks you write do not clear any faster or slower because of the holiday. The recipient's bank will process them on the next business day after they receive them, just as usual. The holiday does not speed up or delay the clearing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from an ATM on Presidents Day?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7, including on Presidents Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks using your bank's ATM even though the branch is closed. Mobile deposit also works on the holiday, though the funds may not post until the next business day.
Will my direct deposit or paycheck hit my account on Presidents Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day may post on the holiday itself, or they may post the next business day, depending on your employer's payroll processor and your bank's processing schedule. If you are unsure, contact your employer's payroll department or your bank to confirm when to expect the deposit.
What if I need cash and the ATM is out of money?
If your bank's ATM is empty, look for ATMs at other banks in your area — many banks allow customers from other banks to withdraw cash, though you may be charged a fee. Alternatively, some grocery stores and convenience stores offer cash back when you use your debit card to make a purchase.
Can I open a new bank account on Presidents Day?
No. Opening a new account requires speaking to a banker and providing identification and documentation in person. You will have to wait until the branch reopens the next business day. Some banks allow you to start the process online, but you may still need to visit a branch to complete it.
Do credit unions close on Presidents Day?
Most credit unions close on Presidents Day because it is a federal holiday. However, some credit unions do not observe all federal holidays, so call your credit union ahead of time to confirm. Their ATMs and online banking will work normally even if the branch is closed.