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 that Friday. Your bank's website will show "closed" for that date, and ATMs will still work, but you cannot speak to a teller or visit a branch.
Some smaller banks and credit unions stay open on the day after Thanksgiving. Call your branch directly or check your bank's website to confirm their specific hours for that Friday. Do not assume based on what a larger bank does — policies vary by institution.
If you need to deposit a check, transfer money, or handle something that requires a teller, plan to do it on Thursday before the holiday or wait until Saturday or Monday. Online banking and ATM withdrawals work around the clock regardless of branch hours.
Key Takeaways
- Most major banks close their branches on the Friday after Thanksgiving, though ATMs remain available 24/7.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different hours, so contact your specific branch to confirm.
- Online transfers, bill payments, and account management work the same on the day after Thanksgiving as any other day.
- If you need a teller, plan your banking for Thursday, Saturday, or the following Monday instead.
- Wire transfers and other time-sensitive transactions should be completed before Thursday to avoid delays.
Why banks close the day after Thanksgiving
Banks close the day after Thanksgiving because the federal government observes it as a holiday for federal employees and federal offices. The Federal Reserve, which clears checks and processes large transfers between banks, is closed that day. When the Fed is closed, banks cannot process certain transactions that depend on the Fed's systems, so most choose to close their branches rather than stay open with limited function.
This is different from a true federal holiday like Christmas or Independence Day. The day after Thanksgiving is not a statutory holiday for private businesses, which means banks are not legally required to close. They do it by choice, based on the Fed's closure and the expectation that fewer customers will need services.
What you can and cannot do on the day after Thanksgiving
ATMs work normally on the day after Thanksgiving. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and deposit checks using a mobile app or ATM envelope. These transactions do not depend on the branch being open.
Online banking also works normally. You can pay bills, set up transfers, send money to other people's accounts, and manage your account from your phone or computer. Transactions you start online on Friday may not process until Saturday or Monday, depending on the type of transaction and your bank's processing schedule.
What you cannot do is speak to a teller, get a cashier's check, open a new account, or resolve a problem that requires a person. Wire transfers initiated on Friday may not go out until Monday. If you need something that only a branch can provide, you must wait until Saturday (if your bank is open) or Monday.
How to plan ahead for the Thanksgiving weekend
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check, do it on Wednesday or Thursday before the holiday. This gives you a buffer in case something unexpected comes up and prevents you from being stuck without access to your money.
If you are expecting a direct deposit or a check to clear, remember that the day after Thanksgiving delays processing by one day. A check deposited on Thursday may not clear until Tuesday instead of Monday. If you are counting on that money for a bill due on Monday, deposit it earlier in the week.
For wire transfers or other time-sensitive transactions, complete them on Thursday at the latest. Friday is too late because the Fed is closed and your bank cannot process the transfer until Monday.
Banks that may have different hours
Some banks stay open on the day after Thanksgiving with reduced hours. Online-only banks like Ally and Charles Schwab do not have physical branches, so the closure does not affect them — you can transfer money and manage your account normally. Some credit unions open on Friday with shorter hours, typically 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or similar.
Call your bank or credit union directly to ask about their hours for the day after Thanksgiving. Do not rely on their normal Saturday hours — they may be different. Many banks post holiday hours on their website or in their mobile app a few weeks before the holiday.
What happens if you need emergency access to money
If you need cash on the day after Thanksgiving and your bank is closed, use an ATM. Most ATMs work 24/7, even when the branch is closed. If your bank charges a fee for out-of-network ATM use, you may want to withdraw extra cash on Thursday to avoid the fee.
If you need to send money urgently on Friday, use a money transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram instead of your bank. These services operate independently of bank hours and can send money the same day. You will pay a fee, but it is faster than waiting for Monday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on the day after Thanksgiving?
You can deposit a check using your bank's mobile app or an ATM envelope, but it will not process until Saturday or Monday depending on your bank. If you need the money to clear by Monday, deposit it on Thursday instead.
Will my direct deposit come through on the day after Thanksgiving?
Direct deposits scheduled for Friday the day after Thanksgiving may arrive on Friday or may be delayed until Monday, depending on your employer's payroll system and your bank. Contact your employer's payroll department if you are unsure when they process payments.
Are credit unions open the day after Thanksgiving?
Some credit unions close on the day after Thanksgiving, and others stay open with reduced hours. Call your credit union to confirm their hours for that Friday — do not assume they follow the same schedule as banks.
Can I use my debit card on the day after Thanksgiving?
Yes. Your debit card works at stores, ATMs, and online merchants on the day after Thanksgiving just like any other day. The branch closure does not affect card transactions.
What if I need a cashier's check on the day after Thanksgiving?
You cannot get a cashier's check on Friday if your bank is closed. Plan ahead and get it on Thursday. If you need it urgently on Friday, some banks may issue one on Saturday if they are open, but call ahead to confirm.