Most banks are closed on Veterans Day, but some branches and ATMs stay open
Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. On that date, most major banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank — close their physical branches because it is a federal holiday. Your ATM will still work, and online banking continues as normal. If you need to speak to someone or deposit a check in person, you will have to wait until the next business day.
Some credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different schedules, so calling ahead is worth the minute if you have a specific branch in mind. A few banks in certain areas stay open on federal holidays, though this is rare. The safest approach: assume your branch is closed and plan accordingly.
Key Takeaways
- Major national banks close their branches on Veterans Day, but ATMs remain available 24/7.
- Online banking, mobile apps, and phone banking all work normally on Veterans Day.
- Credit unions and regional banks may have different hours, so contact your specific branch to confirm.
- If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash in person, plan to do so the day before or after Veterans Day.
- The stock market and bond markets close on Veterans Day, so investment transactions settle the next business day.
What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day
You can withdraw money from any ATM, check your balance, transfer funds between your own accounts, and pay bills online. You can also deposit checks using your bank's mobile app if it offers mobile deposit. Phone banking lines are usually staffed, though wait times may be longer than on a regular business day.
You cannot visit a branch to speak with a teller, open a new account in person, apply for a loan, or get a cashier's check. If you need cash and do not have an ATM card, you will need to find an ATM or wait until the next day. Checks you deposit on Veterans Day will not post until the following business day anyway, so there is no advantage to rushing to a branch.
How to prepare the day before Veterans Day
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check, do it on November 10. Withdraw what you think you will need for the holiday weekend. If you are expecting a direct deposit or a check to clear, remember that Veterans Day counts as a non-business day, so deposits made on November 11 will not post until November 12.
If you have bills due on or around Veterans Day, pay them online a day or two early. Most banks process online payments within one to three business days, so paying on November 10 ensures the payment reaches the recipient on time. If you are waiting for a wire transfer or a time-sensitive transaction, contact your bank on November 10 to confirm the timing.
ATMs and online banking work normally
Your debit card works at any ATM in your bank's network or at ATMs that accept your card type. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has that feature), and transfer money between accounts. ATM fees may apply if you use an out-of-network machine, so stick to your bank's ATMs if you can.
Online and mobile banking run 24/7 on Veterans Day. You can log in, check balances, set up bill payments, transfer money, and deposit checks via mobile deposit. The only limitation is that transactions initiated on Veterans Day may not process until the next business day, depending on the type of transaction and your bank's processing schedule.
What happens to checks and deposits on Veterans Day
Any check you deposit on Veterans Day will not be processed until November 12. The bank counts Veterans Day as a non-business day for check clearing purposes. If you deposit a check on November 10, it will typically clear by November 12 or 13. If you deposit on November 11, add an extra day to that timeline.
Direct deposits scheduled for Veterans Day may arrive on time or may be delayed by one day, depending on your employer's payroll system and your bank's processing. If your paycheck is due on November 11 and you do not see it by the end of the day, check again on November 12. If it still has not arrived, contact your employer's payroll department on November 12.
Stock market and investment accounts on Veterans Day
The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ both close on Veterans Day. If you have a brokerage account, you cannot buy or sell stocks on November 11. Any order you place will execute on November 12 at the market price that day. If you are waiting to move money into or out of an investment account, plan to do so on November 10 or wait until November 12.
Money market accounts and savings accounts at your bank continue to accrue interest on Veterans Day, even though the branch is closed. Your balance and interest calculation do not stop for federal holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?
Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM and at any store or business open on Veterans Day. You can make purchases and withdraw cash normally. The only thing you cannot do is visit your bank branch in person.
Will my direct deposit arrive on time if Veterans Day falls on my payday?
It depends on your employer's payroll system. Some employers process payroll before the holiday and deposits arrive on time. Others delay payroll by one day. Contact your payroll department on November 10 if you are unsure. If your deposit does not arrive on November 11, check again on November 12.
What if I need to deposit a check urgently on Veterans Day?
Use mobile deposit if your bank offers it — you can photograph the check with your phone and deposit it through the app. The check will not clear until November 12, but it will be in the system. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, you will have to wait until November 12 to deposit it at an ATM or branch.
Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?
Most do, but not all. Call your credit union on November 10 to confirm their hours on November 11. Some credit unions stay open on federal holidays while others close. Their ATMs will work regardless of whether the branch is open.
Can I pay bills online on Veterans Day?
Yes. You can set up bill payments through your bank's online portal or mobile app on Veterans Day. The payment will be scheduled for processing on the next business day. Pay a day or two early if the bill is due around the holiday to avoid a late payment.