The U.S. observes 11 federal bank holidays each year

The federal government designates 11 days as official bank holidays. On these days, most banks close, the stock market does not trade, and federal offices shut down. The holidays are set by federal law, not by individual banks or states, though some banks may have different hours or closures depending on where they operate.

The 11 holidays are New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The dates shift slightly year to year because some holidays fall on weekends or are observed on the nearest weekday.

If a holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks observe it on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, most banks observe it on Monday. This means the actual day you cannot do business at your bank may not match the calendar date of the holiday itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal bank holidays are set by law and apply to most banks nationwide, though some credit unions and online banks may have different schedules.
  • When a holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically observe it on the nearest weekday—Friday if the holiday is Saturday, Monday if it is Sunday.
  • Stock markets close on all 11 federal holidays, which can affect when trades settle and when transfers between investment accounts clear.
  • State and local holidays do not close banks federally, so banks remain open on days like state fairs or regional observances.
  • Your specific bank may close on additional days beyond the 11 federal holidays, so checking your bank's holiday schedule before you need a transaction is worth doing.

The complete list of 11 federal bank holidays

New Year's Day is January 1. Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. is the third Monday in January. Washington's Birthday, commonly called Presidents' Day, is the third Monday in February. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May. Juneteenth National Independence Day is June 19, or the nearest weekday if it falls on a weekend. Independence Day is July 4. Labor Day is the first Monday in September. Columbus Day is the second Monday in October. Veterans Day is November 11. Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November. Christmas Day is December 25.

The dates that move each year are the ones tied to a specific day of the week rather than a fixed calendar date. This means you may need to check your bank's website or call ahead if you are planning a transaction near a holiday that falls on a weekend.

What happens to your transactions on a bank holiday

Deposits made on a bank holiday do not post until the next business day. If you deposit a check or transfer money on a holiday, your bank records the transaction but does not process it until the following day. This can affect when funds become available and when checks clear.

Automatic payments and bill payments scheduled for a bank holiday typically process on the next business day instead. If you have a payment due on a holiday, check with your bank or biller about whether the payment will go through on time or be delayed. Some billers count the holiday as part of the grace period, while others do not.

Wire transfers and ACH transfers also pause on bank holidays. If you initiate a wire transfer on a holiday, it will not leave your account until the next business day. This matters if you are sending money to meet a deadline or if you are waiting to receive funds.

How bank holidays affect the stock market and investments

The stock market closes entirely on all 11 federal bank holidays. This means you cannot buy or sell stocks, bonds, or mutual funds on these days. If you place an order to trade on a holiday, it will not execute until the market reopens the next business day.

Settlement of stock trades also pauses. Normally, stocks settle two business days after you buy or sell them. If a holiday falls between your trade date and the settlement date, the settlement pushes forward by one day. This can affect when you have access to cash from a sale or when you need to have cash available to pay for a purchase.

Differences between federal holidays and bank holidays

Federal holidays and bank holidays are not always the same thing. A federal holiday is a day the U.S. government recognizes, and federal offices close. A bank holiday is a day banks close. The 11 bank holidays match the federal holidays, but some federal holidays do not close banks.

For example, Decoration Day (May 30) is a federal holiday in some states, but banks do not close on it. State holidays like Arbor Day or Cesar Chavez Day close some state offices but not banks. If you need to know whether your bank is open on a particular day, check your bank's holiday schedule rather than assuming it matches the federal holiday calendar.

Online banks and credit unions may have different holiday schedules

Online banks and some credit unions do not close on bank holidays the way brick-and-mortar banks do, because they do not have physical locations to close. However, they still cannot process certain transactions on holidays because the banking system itself shuts down.

Deposits, transfers, and bill payments initiated on a holiday will not process until the next business day, even at an online bank. Wire transfers and ACH transfers also pause. The difference is that you can log in and schedule transactions on a holiday, whereas you cannot walk into a physical bank branch.

Some credit unions observe additional holidays beyond the 11 federal bank holidays. If you belong to a credit union, check their website for their complete holiday schedule, which may include days your bank does not close.

Planning ahead when a holiday falls on a weekend

When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks observe it on Friday and close that day instead. When it falls on a Sunday, most banks observe it on Monday. This means the day your bank is actually closed may not match the official holiday date.

If you need to deposit a check or make a transfer, plan to do it before the observed holiday, not on the calendar date. For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, your bank will likely be closed on Friday, July 3, not on Saturday. Waiting until Saturday to make your deposit will not work.

Check your bank's website for the specific dates they will be closed each year. Most banks publish their holiday schedule in December for the coming year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all banks close on the same 11 federal holidays?

Most banks close on all 11 federal bank holidays, but some credit unions and regional banks may observe additional holidays or have different schedules. Check your specific bank's website or call to confirm which days they will be closed. Online banks do not have physical closures but still cannot process certain transactions on holidays because the banking system itself is closed.

What happens if I need to access my money on a bank holiday?

If your bank has an ATM, you can withdraw cash on a holiday. You can also log into your online banking account and view your balance or schedule transactions for the next business day. However, you cannot speak to a banker, deposit a check in person, or process certain transactions until the bank reopens.

Do credit card payments process on bank holidays?

Credit card payments made on a bank holiday will not post until the next business day. If your payment is due on a holiday, make the payment the day before to ensure it posts on time and avoids a late fee. Some credit card companies count the holiday as part of the grace period, but do not rely on this—pay early to be safe.

Can I wire money on a bank holiday?

You cannot send a wire transfer on a bank holiday. If you initiate a wire on a holiday, it will not leave your account until the next business day. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, send the wire at least one business day before that date to account for the holiday.

Does the post office close on bank holidays?

The post office closes on most federal holidays, but not all of them. Columbus Day and Veterans Day are federal holidays, but the post office remains open on those days. Check the USPS website for their specific holiday schedule if you need to mail a check or document on or near a holiday.