The 2025 bank holiday schedule: 11 federal holidays when banks close
The United States observes 11 federal bank holidays in 2025. On these days, most banks close their physical branches and do not process certain transactions. However, the impact on your payments depends on which holiday falls on which day of the week and which payment method you use.
Federal holidays are set by Congress and apply across all states. Some states observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, but those do not affect the national banking system. If a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead. If it falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday.
The key thing to know: bank holidays slow down ACH transfers, wire transfers, and check processing, but they do not stop digital payments, debit card transactions, or most bill payments made through your bank's app or website.
Key Takeaways
- The 11 federal bank holidays in 2025 are New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- ACH transfers and wire transfers initiated on a bank holiday or the day before may not clear until the next business day, which can delay bill payments and peer transfers by one to three days.
- Debit card purchases, credit card payments, and transfers made through your bank's mobile app process normally on bank holidays because they do not require bank staff to manually process them.
- If a payment is due on a bank holiday, most lenders and billers treat the next business day as on-time, but you should confirm this with your creditor before relying on it.
The complete 2025 federal bank holiday list and dates
Here are the 11 federal holidays when U.S. banks close:
| Holiday | Date in 2025 | Day of Week | Bank Closure Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Wednesday | Wednesday, January 1 |
| MLK Jr. Day | January 20 | Monday | Monday, January 20 |
| Presidents' Day | February 17 | Monday | Monday, February 17 |
| Memorial Day | May 26 | Monday | Monday, May 26 |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Thursday | Thursday, June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Friday | Friday, July 4 |
| Labor Day | September 1 | Monday | Monday, September 1 |
| Columbus Day | October 13 | Monday | Monday, October 13 |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Tuesday | Tuesday, November 11 |
| Thanksgiving | November 27 | Thursday | Thursday, November 27 |
| Christmas | December 25 | Thursday | Thursday, December 25 |
None of the 2025 federal holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, so there are no substitute closure days. This means banks close on the exact date listed above.
How bank holidays affect ACH transfers and bill payments
ACH transfers — the most common way bills are paid and money moves between accounts — do not process on bank holidays. If you schedule an ACH payment to leave your account on a bank holiday, it will not actually move until the next business day. If you schedule it for the day before a holiday, it may not clear until two or three days later, depending on the receiving bank's processing schedule.
Most billers and lenders build this delay into their systems. If your mortgage or credit card payment is due on a Monday that is a bank holiday, the payment window usually extends through that day, and on-time status is not affected. However, this is not automatic — some creditors have stricter rules. If a payment is due on or near a bank holiday, contact your lender or biller to confirm their policy before the holiday arrives.
Wire transfers also stop on bank holidays. A wire initiated on a Friday before a three-day weekend (Saturday, Sunday, Monday holiday) will not send until Tuesday. This matters most for time-sensitive payments like down payments or urgent transfers.
Which payment methods work normally on bank holidays
Not all payments slow down. Debit card transactions process in real time on bank holidays because they are routed through card networks, not through your bank's processing center. The same is true for credit card payments made through your card issuer's website or app — they are recorded immediately, even if the actual money movement happens later.
Payments made through your bank's mobile app or website also process normally on bank holidays. When you pay a bill through your bank's bill pay feature on a holiday, the transaction is recorded and queued, and it sends on the next business day. From your perspective, the payment shows as submitted and scheduled.
Peer-to-peer transfers through apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App also work on bank holidays. The transfer between the two apps happens immediately, but if either party is moving money to or from a traditional bank account, that leg of the journey may be delayed by one business day.
What to do if a payment is due on a bank holiday
If a bill is due on a bank holiday, the safest move is to send the payment two business days before the due date. This gives the ACH transfer time to clear even if it hits a holiday in the middle of processing.
If you have already missed a payment that was due on a bank holiday, contact your creditor immediately. Most major lenders — mortgage companies, credit card issuers, auto loan servicers — have policies that treat payments received on the next business day after a holiday as on-time. But this courtesy is not may provide, and some creditors may charge a late fee if the payment does not arrive by the exact due date. Calling to explain the situation and asking for the fee to be waived is often successful.
For recurring bills, consider setting up automatic payments to go out a few days before the due date rather than on the due date itself. This removes the holiday risk entirely.
Bank holidays versus market holidays: what is the difference
Bank holidays and stock market holidays are not the same thing. The stock market (NYSE, NASDAQ) closes on the same federal holidays as banks, but the timing and impact are different. If you trade stocks or hold investments, market closures affect when your trades execute and when you can buy or sell. This does not directly affect your bank account or bill payments, but it does affect when investment transactions clear.
Some financial institutions also observe holidays that are not federal holidays. For example, some banks close on the day after Thanksgiving or on Christmas Eve if it falls on a weekday. Check with your specific bank to see if they have any additional closure days beyond the 11 federal holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I send a payment on the day before a bank holiday, when will it arrive?
An ACH payment sent on the day before a bank holiday typically arrives one to two business days after the holiday ends. If you send it on Friday before a Monday holiday, it usually arrives Wednesday. To be safe, send payments at least two business days before the due date when a holiday is involved.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit card transactions process normally on bank holidays because they go through card networks, not your bank's processing center. You can swipe, tap, or use your card online without any delay.
What happens if my payment is late because of a bank holiday?
Most lenders treat payments received on the next business day after a holiday as on-time, but this is not automatic. Call your creditor and explain the situation. Many will waive a late fee if the payment was delayed by a bank holiday. Get the confirmation in writing if possible.
Do all banks close on the same bank holidays?
All federally chartered banks and most state banks close on the 11 federal holidays. Credit unions and some online banks may have different policies. Check with your specific institution if you are unsure whether they observe a particular holiday.
Can I still access my money on a bank holiday?
Yes. You can withdraw cash from ATMs, make debit card purchases, transfer money through your bank's app, and check your balance on a bank holiday. You cannot visit a physical branch or speak to a bank representative, and ACH transfers will not process until the next business day.