Most banks are closed on Thanksgiving Day
Banks observe Thanksgiving as a federal holiday, so the vast majority of branches will be closed on Thanksgiving Thursday. This applies to all the major national banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — as well as most regional and community banks. If you need cash or have banking business to handle, you'll need to plan ahead.
The day after Thanksgiving, Friday, banks reopen at their normal hours. This is not a federal holiday, so branches operate on their regular schedule, which is typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though some branches open earlier or close later depending on location.
A small number of banks do operate limited hours on Thanksgiving itself — usually a few hours in the morning — but this is rare and depends entirely on the individual bank and branch. If you think your bank might be open, call the specific branch directly rather than relying on the main customer service line, which may not have current holiday information.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly all bank branches close completely on Thanksgiving Day, including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank.
- Banks reopen Friday after Thanksgiving at their normal business hours, usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7 on Thanksgiving, so you can withdraw cash and transfer money without visiting a branch.
- If you need cash or to deposit a check before Thanksgiving, plan to visit your branch by Wednesday afternoon.
- A very small number of branches may open for a few hours on Thanksgiving morning, but you should call ahead to confirm.
How to access your money on Thanksgiving without a branch
You don't need a branch to be open to handle most banking tasks on Thanksgiving. ATMs work around the clock, so you can withdraw cash at any time. If your bank's ATM is not convenient, you can use an ATM from another bank — you'll pay a fee, usually $2 to $3, but the machine will still dispense cash.
Online banking and mobile apps work on Thanksgiving just like any other day. You can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, send money to other people through services like Zelle or your bank's own transfer tool, and check your balance. You cannot deposit a physical check through an app on Thanksgiving, but you can take a photo of it and deposit it the next day when the bank reopens.
If you need to speak to someone at your bank on Thanksgiving, most banks have customer service phone lines open during holiday hours — usually 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — though wait times are typically longer than on regular business days. Check your bank's website or the back of your debit card for the number.
Planning ahead: what to do before Thanksgiving
If you know you'll need cash or need to deposit a check before the holiday, visit your branch on Wednesday or earlier in the week. Don't wait until Wednesday evening — branches close at their normal time, and lines are often longer as people prepare for the holiday.
If you're expecting a refund, payment, or transfer to arrive around Thanksgiving, remember that banks don't process deposits or transfers on the holiday itself. A deposit made on Wednesday will post on Thursday or Friday depending on the bank and the type of deposit. If you're waiting for a tax refund, insurance refund, or other government payment, check the expected delivery date — if it says Thanksgiving Day, it will actually arrive Friday or the following Monday.
If you have a time-sensitive financial need — paying a bill that's due, making a payment to avoid a late fee — handle it before Wednesday. Most bills have a grace period, but don't rely on it during a holiday week when processing times are slower.
Credit unions and online banks on Thanksgiving
Credit unions follow the same holiday schedule as traditional banks — most are closed on Thanksgiving Day and reopen Friday at normal hours. However, credit union ATMs and online banking work 24/7, just like bank ATMs and apps.
Online banks that have no physical branches — like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, or Discover Bank — don't have branch hours to close. You can access your account and transfer money anytime. However, if you need to deposit a physical check, you'll still have to wait until Friday for the deposit to be processed, since the bank's processing centers are closed on Thanksgiving.
Wire transfers and urgent payments on Thanksgiving
Wire transfers do not process on Thanksgiving Day. If you send a wire on Wednesday, it will go through that day. If you send one on Thursday or Friday morning, it won't leave your bank until Friday afternoon at the earliest. International wires take even longer — they typically process the next business day after you send them.
If you have an urgent payment due on Thanksgiving Day itself, use your bank's online bill pay or a third-party payment service like PayPal or Venmo. These services can send money instantly or within one business day, depending on the service and the recipient's bank. Check the service's Thanksgiving hours before you rely on it — most operate normally, but some may have delays.
What happens to deposits made on Thanksgiving
If you deposit a check at an ATM on Thanksgiving, the bank will accept it and hold it until Friday, when processing begins. The funds will typically post to your account by Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, depending on your bank. Mobile check deposits work the same way — you can take a photo and submit it anytime, but the bank won't process it until Friday.
If you deposit cash at an ATM on Thanksgiving, the cash goes into a secure deposit box that the bank empties on Friday morning. The funds will post to your account Friday afternoon, not immediately. Never rely on cash deposited on Thanksgiving being available the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Thanksgiving if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM and at any store or business that's open on Thanksgiving. The bank being closed doesn't affect your ability to spend money or withdraw cash. You can also use your card for online purchases anytime.
Will my direct deposit come through on Thanksgiving?
No. Direct deposits are processed on business days only. If your employer normally deposits on Thursday and Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, the deposit will arrive Friday instead. Check with your employer if you're unsure of the timing.
What if I need to dispute a charge on Thanksgiving?
Call your bank's customer service line — most banks have holiday hours, usually 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also report fraud or disputes through your online banking app or by sending a message through your bank's secure message center. The bank will investigate after it reopens on Friday.
Do I need to do anything special to access my bank account on Thanksgiving?
No. Your online banking, mobile app, and debit card all work normally on Thanksgiving. You only need to plan ahead if you need to visit a physical branch or if you're expecting a deposit that requires processing.
What if my bank's ATM is out of cash on Thanksgiving?
Use an ATM from a different bank or network. Most ATMs are restocked regularly, but if one is empty, you can find another one nearby. You'll pay a small fee — usually $2 to $3 — but you'll get your cash. Alternatively, some stores allow you to withdraw cash back when you make a purchase with your debit card.