Most banks are closed on December 26 if it falls on a weekday
December 26 is not a federal holiday, so banks do not close nationwide because of the date itself. However, if December 26 falls on a Monday through Friday, many banks will still be closed because they observe the Christmas holiday on December 25. When Christmas falls on a weekday, banks typically remain closed the following business day as well—a practice called "observed holiday" closure.
If December 26 is a Saturday or Sunday, your bank is already closed on weekends, so the day itself does not matter. The real question is whether your bank stays shut on Monday, December 27, if Christmas was on Friday, December 25.
The safest approach is to check your specific bank's holiday schedule before you need to do banking. Most banks post their December holiday hours on their website or in their mobile app by early December.
Key Takeaways
- December 26 closures depend on what day of the week it falls on and whether your bank observes the day after Christmas.
- If Christmas (December 25) is a weekday, most major banks close on both December 25 and December 26.
- If Christmas falls on a weekend, banks may close on the nearest weekday instead—usually the following Monday.
- Your bank's specific holiday schedule is posted on its website, app, or by calling the branch directly.
- ATMs and online banking typically work on bank holidays, but in-person services and phone support do not.
When banks close around Christmas
Federal law requires banks to close on Christmas Day (December 25) when it falls on a weekday. The question of December 26 depends on your bank's policy and the calendar.
If December 25 is a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, most major banks close on both December 25 and December 26. If December 25 is a Saturday, banks close on Friday, December 24 instead. If December 25 is a Sunday, banks close on Monday, December 26.
Regional and smaller banks sometimes have different policies. Some close only on December 25 itself. Others close for a longer stretch—December 24 through December 26, or even longer. Credit unions also vary; some follow the same schedule as major banks, others do not.
How to find your bank's exact schedule
The fastest way is to open your bank's mobile app or website and search for "holiday hours" or "December hours." Most banks publish this information by the first week of December. You will see a list of dates when branches are closed and when they reopen.
If you cannot find it online, call your branch directly. The phone line will often state holiday hours in the greeting message, or you can ask a representative. You can also visit the branch in person and ask staff to confirm the schedule.
Major banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank typically close on December 25 and December 26 when both fall on weekdays. However, do not assume—verify with your own bank.
What still works when the bank is closed
ATMs operate 24/7 on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and deposit checks at most ATMs even when the branch is closed.
Online banking—checking balances, paying bills, transferring money between accounts—works around the clock. Mobile apps work the same way. Transactions you initiate online may not process until the bank reopens, but you can still set them up.
Wire transfers, cashier's checks, and services that require a teller do not work on bank holidays. If you need cash from a teller or a cashier's check before December 26, plan to visit on December 24 or earlier.
Planning ahead for December banking
If you need to withdraw large amounts of cash, deposit a check, or get a cashier's check, do it on December 24 or earlier. Do not wait until December 26 hoping the bank will be open.
If you need to pay a bill by a specific date and that date falls during the bank closure, pay it online through your bank's website or app. Online payments typically process within one to three business days after the bank reopens, but the transaction is recorded on the day you submit it.
If you have a time-sensitive banking need—a mortgage payment, a loan payment, or a wire transfer—contact your bank before December 24 to ask how to handle it during the closure. Many banks have procedures for urgent transactions even when branches are closed.
What happens if you need cash over the holiday
Withdraw what you need on December 24 or earlier. ATMs will work, but if you need more cash than an ATM daily limit allows, you must visit a branch before it closes.
If you are traveling and need cash in a different city, use ATMs from your bank's network or from networks like Allpoint or MoneyPass. These work on holidays. If your bank has no ATMs where you are, use a convenience store or grocery store ATM—you will pay a fee, but it works.
Some banks allow you to order cash online or through their app and pick it up at a branch on a specific date. If your bank offers this, you can order before December 25 and pick up on December 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit on December 26 if the bank is closed?
Direct deposits process automatically even when the bank is closed. Your employer sends the deposit to the bank's system, and it posts to your account on the scheduled date regardless of whether the branch is open. If your normal payday is December 26 and the bank is closed, the deposit still arrives on December 26.
Can I use my debit card on December 26 if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on bank holidays. The transaction processes through the card network, not through the branch. You can use your card to buy things or withdraw cash without the branch being open.
What if I need to dispute a charge on December 26?
You cannot speak to a representative on a bank holiday, but you can report a dispute online through your bank's app or website. Most banks allow you to file a dispute claim electronically. The bank will investigate after it reopens, but your claim is recorded on the date you file it.
Do credit unions close on December 26?
Most credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks and close on December 25 and December 26 when both fall on weekdays. Some credit unions have different policies. Check your credit union's website or call ahead to confirm.
If December 26 is a Saturday, is the bank open on Friday, December 25?
No. Banks close on the actual Christmas Day (December 25) regardless of what day of the week it is. If Christmas is a Saturday, the bank is already closed on Saturday. It will reopen on Monday, December 27.