The U.S. observes 11 federal bank holidays per year
The federal government designates 11 days each year as bank holidays. On these days, most banks close, the stock market does not trade, and federal offices shut down. The holidays are set by Congress and do not change year to year — they fall on the same dates or follow the same pattern (like the third Monday in February for Presidents' Day).
Your own bank may observe additional holidays beyond the federal 11, and some banks stay open on certain federal holidays depending on their location or business model. Online banks sometimes operate on federal holidays since they have no physical branches to close. It is worth checking your specific bank's holiday schedule rather than assuming all 11 will affect your account access.
Key Takeaways
- The 11 federal bank holidays are set by Congress and occur on the same dates or patterns every year.
- Banks close on federal holidays, but online banks and some regional institutions may remain open or offer limited services.
- State and local holidays are separate from federal bank holidays and do not automatically close banks nationwide.
- Check your bank's specific holiday schedule because closure rules vary by institution and location.
The 11 federal bank holidays and when they occur
Here are the 11 federal holidays that typically close banks:
| Holiday | Date or Pattern |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Third Monday in January |
| Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday) | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
Juneteenth was added as the 11th federal bank holiday in 2021. Before that, the U.S. observed 10 federal holidays. When a holiday falls on a weekend, the observed date typically shifts to the nearest weekday — usually Friday if the holiday is on Saturday, or Monday if it is on Sunday. Your bank will tell you which day it will actually close.
Why bank closures matter for your transactions
When your bank closes on a federal holiday, you cannot visit a branch, speak to a teller, or conduct in-person business. However, ATM withdrawals and deposits usually work normally because ATMs operate 24/7. Online transfers, bill payments, and mobile banking also continue to function on holidays.
The delay comes with ACH transfers — the electronic system that moves money between bank accounts. ACH does not process on federal holidays, so a transfer you send on a holiday will not leave your account until the next business day. If you send money on Friday before a three-day weekend, it will not move until Tuesday. This matters if you are paying a bill with a specific due date or sending money that needs to arrive by a certain time.
Wire transfers, which move money through a different system, also do not process on federal holidays. Check with your bank about their specific cutoff times on the day before a holiday — some banks stop accepting wire requests in the afternoon to ensure they process before the holiday closes the system.
How federal holidays differ from state and local holidays
Federal bank holidays are nationwide closures set by Congress. State and local holidays — like Thanksgiving the day after Thanksgiving in some states, or holidays specific to a region — do not automatically close banks across the country. A bank in California might stay open on a day that is a state holiday there, or it might close; it depends on the bank's policy and whether it observes that particular state holiday.
If you live in a state or city that observes a holiday your bank does not, your bank will likely remain open. Conversely, if you bank with an institution headquartered in another state, it may close on a holiday your state does not observe. This is why checking your specific bank's holiday calendar is more reliable than assuming based on your location.
What happens to payments and deposits on bank holidays
Deposits made at an ATM or through mobile banking on a holiday will be held until the next business day. The bank will not credit the funds to your account until it processes the deposit, which happens after the holiday ends. If you deposit a check on a Monday holiday, it will not post until Tuesday at the earliest.
Payments you schedule through your bank's bill pay system on a holiday will process on the next business day, assuming you scheduled them before the holiday. If a bill is due on a holiday, contact your creditor to confirm whether they will accept payment on the next business day without penalty. Many creditors do, but some do not — it depends on their policy.
If you need money urgently on a holiday, your ATM card will work. If you need to speak to someone at the bank, you will have to wait until the next business day, or contact their customer service line if they offer phone support on holidays (some do, some do not).
Online banks and holiday schedules
Online banks without physical branches often stay open on federal holidays because there is no branch to close. However, they still cannot process ACH transfers or wire transfers on holidays because those systems are run by the Federal Reserve and do not operate on federal holidays. The bank's website and mobile app will work, but money will not move between accounts until the next business day.
Some online banks offer customer service by phone or chat on federal holidays, while others do not. Check your bank's website or call ahead to confirm their holiday hours if you think you might need support.
Planning around bank holidays for time-sensitive payments
If you have a payment due near a federal holiday, send it at least two business days before the due date to account for the holiday delay. For example, if a payment is due on Tuesday and Monday is a federal holiday, send the payment on Friday — that gives the system Friday to Saturday to process, then Monday off, then Tuesday to complete the transfer.
For bills with automatic payments, set them up well in advance so they process before the holiday. If you are waiting for a deposit — a paycheck, a tax refund, or a transfer from someone else — expect it to arrive one day later than usual if a holiday falls in between.
Wire transfers are faster than ACH but also do not process on holidays. If you need money to move urgently and a holiday is coming, call your bank to ask about their cutoff time on the day before the holiday. Some banks will accept wire requests up to a certain time and process them before the holiday closes the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?
Most banks close on all 11 federal holidays, but some regional banks or credit unions may have different policies. Online banks typically stay open but cannot process transfers. Check your specific bank's holiday schedule to be certain.
What if a federal holiday falls on a weekend?
The observed holiday usually shifts to the nearest weekday — Friday if the holiday is on Saturday, Monday if it is on Sunday. Your bank will announce the observed date in advance. The Federal Reserve also publishes its holiday schedule, which affects when ACH and wire transfers process.
Can I use my ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on federal holidays. You can withdraw cash and deposit checks, but deposits will not post to your account until the next business day when the bank processes them.
Will my paycheck deposit on a federal holiday?
If your employer sends your paycheck via ACH, it will not deposit on a federal holiday. It will deposit on the next business day. If you receive a paper check, you can deposit it at an ATM on the holiday, but it will not post until the next business day.
How do I know my bank's exact holiday schedule?
Visit your bank's website and look for a holiday hours or holiday schedule page. You can also call customer service or visit a branch and ask. Most banks publish their holiday schedule at the beginning of the year.