Most banks close on Black Friday, but some branches stay open with reduced hours

Black Friday falls on the day after Thanksgiving, and most major banks treat it as a business day rather than a holiday. However, individual branches often close or run shorter hours because many employees take the day off and customer traffic is light. Your bank's Black Friday schedule depends on which bank you use, which branch location, and whether it's a holiday in your state.

The safest approach is to check your specific bank's website or call your branch directly. Most banks post holiday hours online by mid-November, and you can usually find them under "Locations" or "Hours" on the main site. If you need to deposit a check, transfer money, or withdraw cash on Black Friday, plan to do it before the holiday or use your bank's ATM or mobile app instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Most banks operate on Black Friday as a regular business day, but individual branches may close or reduce hours without advance notice.
  • Check your bank's website or call your branch by mid-November to confirm whether it will be open and what hours it will keep.
  • ATMs and mobile banking apps work on Black Friday regardless of branch hours, so you can deposit checks remotely or withdraw cash 24/7.
  • If your bank is closed, you can usually complete transactions the next business day without penalty or delay.

How to find your bank's Black Friday hours

Visit your bank's official website and search for "holiday hours" or "Black Friday hours." Most major banks—including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and regional banks—publish a holiday schedule in October or November. The schedule usually lists each major holiday and whether branches will be open, closed, or running shortened hours.

If you cannot find the information online, call your specific branch directly. The branch manager or customer service line can tell you whether that location will be open on Black Friday and what time it closes. Some banks keep certain branches open in shopping areas or downtown locations while closing others in residential neighborhoods.

You can also check your bank's mobile app. Many apps show branch hours and let you filter by location. If the app shows "closed" for Black Friday, that branch will not be staffed that day.

What you can do if your branch is closed

If your bank closes on Black Friday and you need to move money or deposit a check, use your bank's ATM or mobile app. ATMs operate 24/7 and let you withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your bank offers mobile deposit), and check your balance. Mobile deposit—where you photograph a check and submit it through the app—works on Black Friday and processes the same way as an in-person deposit.

If you need to speak to a person, most banks offer phone support on Black Friday even if branches are closed. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or on the bank's website. Response times may be longer than usual because fewer staff are working, but you can still report fraud, ask questions about your account, or request a wire transfer.

For transactions that absolutely require a branch visit—such as opening a new account, getting a cashier's check, or accessing a safe deposit box—wait until the next business day. Banks do not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals that arrive a day late.

Banks that typically stay open on Black Friday

Large national banks with many branches often keep some locations open on Black Friday, particularly in malls, shopping centers, or downtown areas where foot traffic is high. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo usually operate at least some branches, though hours are often reduced to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or similar windows.

Credit unions vary widely. Some close entirely on Black Friday, while others stay open with normal or reduced hours. Check your credit union's website or call ahead.

Online-only banks (such as Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover) do not have physical branches, so Black Friday does not affect their operations. You can transfer money, deposit checks by phone, or contact customer service the same way you would on any other day.

Planning ahead to avoid Black Friday banking problems

If you know you will need to handle banking on or around Black Friday, complete your transactions on Thursday or earlier in the week. Deposit checks, withdraw cash, or transfer money before the holiday rush. This approach eliminates the risk of finding your branch closed or dealing with longer wait times.

If you are expecting a refund, payment, or transfer to arrive around Black Friday, remember that banks process deposits on business days only. A deposit made on Black Friday may not post until Monday or Tuesday, depending on your bank's processing schedule. If the timing matters for a bill payment or other deadline, plan accordingly.

Set up automatic bill pay or recurring transfers through your bank's website so you do not have to visit a branch for routine payments. This works on Black Friday and every other day without interruption.

State and federal holidays that affect banking

Black Friday is not a federal holiday, so banks are not required to close. However, some states recognize it as a holiday or observe it locally, which can affect whether branches open. Check your state's holiday calendar if you live in a state that officially recognizes Black Friday.

The federal holidays that do close most banks are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If Black Friday falls on one of these dates (which it does not), your bank would be closed.

What to do if you need cash on Black Friday

If your bank branch is closed and you need cash, use an ATM. Your bank's ATM is free to use, and you can withdraw money any time of day or night. If you do not have an ATM nearby, use your debit card at a retail store that offers cash back—most grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers let you withdraw cash when you make a purchase.

Avoid using out-of-network ATMs on Black Friday if possible, because they charge fees ($2 to $5 per transaction) that add up quickly. If you must use an out-of-network ATM, withdraw enough cash to cover your needs so you do not have to pay multiple fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Black Friday a bank holiday?

No. Black Friday is not a federal holiday, so banks are not required to close. However, individual branches may close or reduce hours because many employees take the day off and customer traffic is light. Check your specific bank's website to confirm whether your branch will be open.

Can I deposit a check on Black Friday if the branch is closed?

Yes, if your bank offers mobile deposit through its app. Photograph the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. The deposit processes the same way as an in-person deposit and usually posts within one to two business days. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, wait until the next business day to visit a branch or use an ATM that accepts deposits.

Will my wire transfer go through on Black Friday?

Wire transfers initiated before your bank's cutoff time on Black Friday usually process the same day. If you initiate a transfer after the cutoff or on a weekend, it will process on the next business day. Call your bank to confirm the cutoff time for Black Friday.

Can I use my ATM on Black Friday?

Yes. ATMs operate 24/7, including on Black Friday, regardless of whether your branch is open. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks (if your bank offers ATM check deposit) any time.

What if I need to open a new account on Black Friday?

Most banks require you to visit a branch or complete the process online to open a new account. If your branch is closed on Black Friday, open the account online through your bank's website, or wait until the next business day to visit in person. Online account opening usually takes a few minutes and is available 24/7.