Banks close tomorrow because it is a federal holiday
Tomorrow is a day when the federal government observes a national holiday, and most banks in the United States close on those days. The Federal Reserve, which sets the schedule for the banking system, shuts down on federal holidays, which means banks cannot process transactions through the central banking network. Your local bank branch will be closed, ATMs may or may not work depending on your bank, and wire transfers and other time-sensitive payments will not go through until the next business day.
The specific holiday depends on the date. Common federal holidays when banks close include New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25).
Key Takeaways
- Banks close on federal holidays because the Federal Reserve does not operate, which prevents most transactions from processing through the banking system.
- ATMs usually work on federal holidays, but wire transfers, check deposits, and other services that require bank staff will not process until the next business day.
- If you need cash before a holiday, withdraw it the day before, because ATM withdrawals may be limited or unavailable depending on your bank.
- Payments you send on a federal holiday will not be received or processed until the next business day, so plan ahead if you have bills due.
Which transactions will not go through tomorrow
Wire transfers will not process on a federal holiday. If you send a wire transfer tomorrow, it will sit in your bank's queue until the next business day when the Federal Reserve reopens. The same is true for ACH transfers (the system most banks use to move money between accounts), check deposits through mobile apps, and any transaction that requires a bank employee to handle or verify.
Debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals usually work on federal holidays because those transactions do not require the Federal Reserve to be open. However, some banks limit ATM withdrawals on holidays or may run out of cash if the holiday is long (like a three-day weekend). Credit card transactions also typically go through, though the charge may not show in your account until the next business day.
What you can do before the bank closes
If you need cash, withdraw it today or the day before the holiday. Most ATMs have daily withdrawal limits (often $500 to $1,000, depending on your bank), so plan accordingly if you need a larger amount. Visit your branch in person if you need more than the ATM limit allows.
If you have bills due tomorrow or shortly after, pay them today using your bank's online bill-pay system or the creditor's website directly. Do not wait until tomorrow to send a check or initiate a transfer, because it will not process until the next business day and may arrive late. If a payment is already late, call the creditor today to let them know you are sending it and ask whether they will waive a late fee.
How ATMs work when banks are closed
ATMs are machines that operate independently of bank branch hours, so they usually work on federal holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks (if your bank offers mobile deposit or ATM check deposits) even when the branch is closed. However, the money you deposit will not be available in your account until the next business day when the bank processes it.
Some banks disable certain ATMs on holidays or limit the amount you can withdraw. If your regular ATM is not working, try an ATM at a different branch of your bank or use an ATM from another bank (you may pay a fee). Plan ahead rather than waiting until tomorrow to find out whether your ATM is available.
When your money will actually arrive after a holiday
Any transaction you send on a federal holiday will not process until the next business day. If tomorrow is a Monday holiday, your wire transfer or ACH payment will not leave your account until Tuesday. If the holiday falls on a Friday, nothing processes until Monday.
This matters most for time-sensitive payments. If your rent or mortgage is due on the 1st and the 1st falls on a federal holiday, send the payment on the day before the holiday to make sure it arrives on time. If you miss that window, contact your landlord or lender today to let them know the payment is coming and ask whether they will accept it late without penalty.
What happens to direct deposits on a federal holiday
If your employer normally deposits your paycheck tomorrow and tomorrow is a federal holiday, the deposit will not go through. Your employer will likely process it on the next business day instead, so your paycheck will arrive one day later than usual. Some employers deposit paychecks the day before a holiday to avoid this delay, so check with your HR department if you are unsure.
Government payments like Social Security, unemployment benefits, and tax refunds also follow this schedule. If a payment was supposed to arrive tomorrow, it will arrive on the next business day instead. You can check the status of government payments through the agency's website or by calling their customer service line.
Planning ahead for longer holiday weekends
If the federal holiday is part of a three-day or four-day weekend, plan your banking needs even further in advance. A Monday holiday means banks are closed Monday through Tuesday (if Tuesday is not a business day). A Friday holiday means banks are closed Friday through Monday. Withdraw cash and send payments by the last business day before the holiday begins.
If you have a time-sensitive transaction that cannot wait, some banks offer limited services on holidays through their mobile app or online banking platform, though most transactions still will not process until the next business day. Call your bank's customer service line today to ask what services are available tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card at stores tomorrow even though the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit card purchases do not require the bank to be open because the transaction goes through the card network, not the Federal Reserve. The charge will appear in your account, though it may not post until the next business day.
Will my check deposit go through if I use the ATM tomorrow?
The ATM will accept the deposit, but the bank will not process it until the next business day. The money will not be available in your account until then, and if the check bounces, you will not find out until after the holiday.
What if I need to wire money tomorrow for an emergency?
You cannot send a wire transfer while the bank is closed. If it is truly an emergency, ask the recipient whether they can wait until the next business day, or explore alternative payment methods like a money transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram) that may operate on holidays.
Do online banks close on federal holidays?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so you can log in and view your account anytime. However, transactions like wire transfers and ACH payments still will not process until the next business day because they go through the Federal Reserve, which is closed on federal holidays.
Will my automatic bill payments go through tomorrow?
Automatic payments scheduled for a federal holiday will process on the next business day instead. Check your bank's bill-pay system to see the actual processing date, which is usually listed when you set up the payment.