The 2026 bank holiday schedule: 10 federal holidays when most banks close
The United States observes 10 federal holidays in 2026. Most banks close on all of them, though some banks may stay open on a few holidays depending on their location and policies. The holidays are spread across the year, with clusters in late fall and early winter.
Bank closures matter because you cannot make deposits, withdrawals, or transfers at a physical branch on these days. Online banking and ATM access usually continue. If you need cash or need to deposit a check before a holiday, plan ahead—your bank's processing timeline stops when they close.
Key Takeaways
- Ten federal holidays in 2026 trigger bank closures: New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving plus the day after.
- Banks close their physical branches but usually keep ATMs and online services running on federal holidays.
- Checks deposited on a holiday or weekend do not clear until the next business day, so plan deposits accordingly if you need the funds quickly.
- Some banks in specific states or regions may observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so check your bank's holiday schedule directly.
The complete 2026 federal holiday list and dates
Here are the 10 federal holidays in 2026 when banks typically close:
| Holiday | Date in 2026 | Day of Week |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Thursday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19 | Monday |
| Presidents' Day | February 16 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Monday |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 | Friday |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Saturday |
| Labor Day | September 7 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | October 12 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Wednesday |
| Thanksgiving and the day after | November 26–27 | Thursday–Friday |
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government and most banks observe it on the nearest weekday. Independence Day falls on Saturday in 2026, so some banks may observe the holiday on Friday, July 3. Check your specific bank's policy, as practices vary.
What stays open and what closes on bank holidays
Your bank's physical branch closes on federal holidays, and you cannot speak to a teller or use services that require staff. However, most banks keep their ATMs running 24/7, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance even when the branch is closed.
Online banking—transfers, bill pay, account monitoring—typically continues without interruption. Mobile apps work the same way. The delay comes when your transaction needs to be processed by the bank's back-office systems. Transfers between accounts at the same bank may post immediately, but transfers to other banks (ACH transfers) and check deposits do not clear until the next business day after the holiday.
Wire transfers sent on a holiday usually do not leave your account until the next business day, and the receiving bank may not process them until the day after that. If you need funds to arrive by a specific date, send them at least one business day before that date, accounting for any holidays in between.
How bank holidays affect check deposits and transfers
A check deposited on a bank holiday does not start its clearing timeline until the next business day. If you deposit a check on Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving), it begins clearing on Friday, November 27. If you deposit it on Friday, November 27 (the day after Thanksgiving), it begins clearing on Monday, November 30, because the weekend follows immediately.
The standard clearing time for a check is one to three business days after deposit, depending on the amount and your bank's policy. A holiday adds one full day to that timeline because the bank's processing systems do not run. If you need a check to clear by a certain date, deposit it at least two business days before that date, or more if a holiday falls in between.
ACH transfers (the electronic transfers used for bill pay and peer-to-peer payments) also pause on holidays. A transfer initiated on a holiday does not leave your account until the next business day. If the receiving bank is also closed on that day, the transfer may not arrive until the day after. Plan transfers at least two business days ahead if a holiday is involved.
State and regional holidays that may close your bank
Some states observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, and banks in those states may close on those days. For example, some banks in Texas close on Confederate Memorial Day (in June), and some banks in South Carolina close on the same day. Banks in Hawaii close on Kamehameha Day (June 11). Banks in Alaska close on Seward's Day (the last Monday in March).
Your bank's website lists its holiday schedule, usually under a section called "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule." If you bank with a national chain like Bank of America, Chase, or Wells Fargo, check the specific branch location, because some branches may observe regional holidays while others do not. Credit unions often follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, but some observe additional holidays tied to their membership base or location.
Planning around bank holidays for bills and payments
If a bill is due on a bank holiday, the payment is not considered late if it is processed on the next business day. However, do not rely on this—pay bills at least one business day before the due date to avoid any risk. If the due date falls on a holiday, contact your creditor to confirm their policy, because some creditors process payments on weekends or holidays even if banks do not.
For automatic bill payments set up through your bank, the payment is deducted from your account on the scheduled date, but the creditor may not receive it until the next business day. If you are cutting it close to a due date and a holiday is in the way, pay manually through the creditor's website instead, which often processes payments even on holidays.
Loan payments, mortgage payments, and credit card payments all follow the same rule: the bank does not process them on holidays, so they do not clear until the next business day. If your payment is due on a holiday, send it at least two business days early to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from an ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs run 24/7 at most banks, even on federal holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (at ATMs that accept deposits), and check your balance. The deposited check will not begin clearing until the next business day, but the withdrawal is immediate.
Do online banks close on bank holidays?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. However, their back-office processing systems still pause on federal holidays. Transfers and check deposits initiated on a holiday do not clear until the next business day, just as they would at a traditional bank.
What happens if I need to make a payment on a bank holiday?
Pay through the creditor's website or app if possible—many creditors process payments on holidays even if banks do not. If you must pay through your bank, initiate the payment at least two business days before the due date to account for the holiday delay.
Does Independence Day being on Saturday in 2026 mean banks are open on Friday?
Most banks observe Independence Day on Friday, July 3, when the federal holiday is observed. However, some banks may stay open on Friday and close on Monday instead. Check your bank's specific holiday schedule to be certain.
Are credit unions closed on the same holidays as banks?
Most credit unions follow the federal holiday schedule and close on the same 10 days as banks. Some credit unions observe additional holidays. Check your credit union's website or call to confirm their 2026 holiday schedule.