Most banks close on Presidents Day, but some branches and online services stay available
Yes, most banks in the United States close on Presidents Day (the third Monday in February). This is a federal holiday, and the Federal Reserve does not process payments that day. However, the closure is not uniform across all banks or all services.
Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank close their physical branches on Presidents Day. Credit unions typically close as well. But online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs remain open — you can check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and withdraw cash from ATMs without interruption.
Some smaller regional banks and credit unions stay open on Presidents Day, so if you use a local institution, call ahead or check their website to confirm. A few banks operate limited hours on federal holidays rather than closing entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Presidents Day, but ATMs and online banking work normally.
- Payments you send on Presidents Day will not process until the next business day because the Federal Reserve is closed.
- Some regional banks and credit unions stay open or operate reduced hours on Presidents Day, so check with your bank directly.
- Wire transfers, bill payments, and check deposits initiated on Presidents Day will clear on Tuesday, not Monday.
- If you need cash or to make a transaction, use your ATM or mobile app rather than visiting a branch.
What happens to payments and transfers on Presidents Day
Any payment you initiate on Presidents Day — whether a wire transfer, ACH transfer, bill payment, or check deposit through mobile banking — will not process until Tuesday. The Federal Reserve, which clears most payments between banks, does not operate on federal holidays.
This matters if you are paying a bill with a tight deadline. If a payment is due on Tuesday and you send it on Monday (Presidents Day), it will arrive Wednesday at the earliest. Plan ahead: send payments on Friday or earlier in the week if the due date falls near Presidents Day.
Deposits made through mobile check deposit on Presidents Day will also post on Tuesday. ATM deposits may take longer depending on your bank's processing schedule. The same delay applies to transfers between banks — they will not move until the Federal Reserve resumes operations on Tuesday morning.
ATMs and online banking work on Presidents Day
You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and move money between your own accounts using ATMs and online banking on Presidents Day without any delay. These services run 24/7 and do not depend on the Federal Reserve's operating schedule.
If you need cash over the long weekend, use an ATM on Monday. If you need to pay a bill or send money to someone else, you can initiate the transfer online, but understand that it will not clear until Tuesday. The transaction will sit in a queue until the Federal Reserve opens for business.
How to learn about your specific bank is open
Call your bank's customer service line or visit their website to confirm their Presidents Day hours. Most banks publish holiday schedules on their homepage or in the mobile app under "Locations" or "Hours."
If you use a smaller regional bank or credit union, do not assume they follow the same schedule as national banks. Some stay open on federal holidays to serve customers who cannot visit during the week. A quick phone call takes 30 seconds and removes the guesswork. You can also check the bank's social media pages, which often post holiday hour updates in early February.
Planning ahead for Presidents Day transactions
If you know you will need to handle banking business around Presidents Day, do it on Friday or earlier in the week. This avoids any delays caused by the holiday closure and the Federal Reserve shutdown.
For bill payments with tight deadlines, submit them by Friday. For deposits, use mobile check deposit on Friday rather than waiting until Monday. For cash withdrawals, use an ATM on Monday if needed, but plan to get what you need on Friday to be safe.
If you have a question that requires speaking to a banker — opening an account, applying for a loan, disputing a charge — schedule that for Tuesday or later in the week. Some banks do staff phone lines on Presidents Day, but branches will be closed and wait times are typically longer.
Wire transfers and time-sensitive payments
Wire transfers initiated on Presidents Day will not leave your bank until Tuesday morning. If you are sending money to pay for something with a Monday deadline, you have already missed it. For time-sensitive payments, initiate them on Friday or earlier.
International wire transfers are affected even more severely. Many banks require an extra business day for international wires to clear, so a wire sent on Presidents Day may not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday depending on the receiving country and bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from an ATM on Presidents Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on federal holidays, including Presidents Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks through your bank's ATM without any interruption.
If I send a payment on Presidents Day, when will it arrive?
It will arrive on Tuesday at the earliest. The Federal Reserve does not process payments on federal holidays, so any transfer, bill payment, or wire initiated on Monday will clear the next business day. Plan accordingly if your payment has a Tuesday due date.
Do credit unions close on Presidents Day?
Most credit unions close on Presidents Day, but some stay open or operate limited hours. Call your credit union directly to confirm. Online banking and ATMs remain available even if the branch is closed.
Can I deposit a check on Presidents Day using my phone?
Yes, you can use mobile check deposit on Presidents Day. The check will be processed and posted to your account on Tuesday, the next business day.
What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on Presidents Day?
Most banks do not staff branches on Presidents Day. Call customer service — many banks operate phone lines on federal holidays, though wait times may be longer. Otherwise, handle your business online or wait until Tuesday to visit a branch.