Most banks and post offices close on Columbus Day
Columbus Day is a federal holiday observed on the second Monday in October. Banks that are members of the Federal Reserve system close on this day, as do all U.S. Postal Service locations. If you need to deposit checks, withdraw cash, mail packages, or buy stamps, you will not be able to do those things at a bank branch or post office on Columbus Day itself.
Some credit unions and private banks may stay open—it depends on the individual institution's policy. The same applies to some private shipping centers that are not run by the Postal Service. But the standard federal observance means the main options most people rely on are closed.
The closure affects not just in-person services but also mail delivery. The Postal Service does not deliver mail on Columbus Day, and collection boxes are not emptied that day. If you drop mail in a box on Columbus Day, it will not move until the next business day.
Key Takeaways
- All Federal Reserve member banks and U.S. Postal Service locations close on Columbus Day, which falls on the second Monday in October.
- Mail does not move on Columbus Day—letters and packages deposited in collection boxes will sit until the next business day.
- Credit unions and private banks may have different policies, so contact your institution directly if you are unsure whether it will be open.
- ATMs and online banking remain available on Columbus Day, even though branch locations are closed.
- Plan ahead if you need to mail time-sensitive documents or make deposits; use ATMs or online services instead if possible.
Which banks close and which might stay open
Any bank that participates in the Federal Reserve system must close on Columbus Day. This includes most major national banks—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others. Regional banks that are Fed members also close. The Federal Reserve itself does not process transactions on this day.
Credit unions are not required to close on Columbus Day, though many do. Some credit unions treat it as a holiday; others stay open with normal hours or reduced hours. Call your credit union before Columbus Day to find out whether it will be open. Online banks that have no physical branches are not affected by the holiday and continue to process transactions normally.
Private banks and community banks that are not Fed members may also stay open. Again, the only way to know is to contact the bank directly or check its website for holiday hours.
What happens to mail and package delivery
The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail on Columbus Day and does not pick up mail from collection boxes. If you put mail in a blue box or a mailbox on Columbus Day, it stays there until Tuesday morning (or the next business day). Packages scheduled to arrive on Columbus Day may arrive a day late, depending on the carrier and the shipping method you chose.
If you need to mail something time-sensitive—a bill payment, a document with a deadline, a birthday card—mail it before Columbus Day or wait until the day after. Dropping it in a box on the holiday itself will delay it by at least one business day.
Priority Mail Express, which guarantees delivery by a specific date, will not deliver on Columbus Day. If your package is scheduled to arrive on that date, it will arrive the next business day instead, and USPS will not charge you a refund for the delay.
Using ATMs and online banking on Columbus Day
ATMs remain available 24 hours a day on Columbus Day, even though bank branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between accounts, and deposit checks at ATMs that accept mobile deposits or check-scanning technology. These machines are not affected by the holiday.
Online banking—logging into your account through your bank's website or app—works normally on Columbus Day. You can pay bills, transfer money, set up automatic payments, and review transactions. The only thing you cannot do is speak to a person at the bank or visit a branch in person.
If you need to make a deposit and your bank does not have a check-scanning ATM, wait until the day after Columbus Day to visit a branch. Deposits made at ATMs on Columbus Day will be processed the next business day anyway.
Planning ahead for time-sensitive transactions
If you have a bill due around Columbus Day, pay it online or by phone before the holiday. Do not rely on mailing a check on Columbus Day itself—it will not arrive in time. Most billers allow you to set up automatic payments or pay through their website, which takes seconds and does not depend on mail delivery.
If you need cash for the weekend and Columbus Day falls on a Friday, withdraw money on Thursday. If it falls on a Monday, withdraw on Friday. ATMs work on the holiday, but if you prefer to withdraw a large amount or need assistance, you will need to plan around the branch closure.
For packages and shipments, mail them on Friday if Columbus Day is Monday, or on Thursday if Columbus Day is Friday. If you are shipping something that needs to arrive by a specific date, use Priority Mail Express and verify the delivery date before you ship. Regular Priority Mail and First-Class Mail will be delayed by one day if they would otherwise arrive on Columbus Day.
What to do if you need banking services on Columbus Day
Use an ATM to withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your bank offers mobile check deposit), or transfer money. ATMs are available around the clock and do not close for holidays.
Pay bills and transfer money online through your bank's website or app. These services work 24/7 and do not depend on branch staff.
If your bank is a credit union, call ahead to confirm whether it will be open. Some credit unions stay open on Columbus Day with reduced hours.
If you need to mail something, use a private shipping service like UPS or FedEx instead of the Postal Service. Some UPS locations and FedEx drop-off points stay open on federal holidays, though hours may be reduced. Call ahead to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit be delayed if my employer mails it on Columbus Day?
If your employer mails a check on Columbus Day, it will not be picked up until Tuesday. However, most employers use direct deposit, which is not affected by holidays. If you receive a paper check, ask your employer to deposit it directly into your account instead, or deposit it yourself at an ATM on Tuesday.
Can I mail a bill payment on Columbus Day and have it count as on-time?
No. Mail does not move on Columbus Day, so a payment mailed that day will arrive late. Pay bills online, by phone, or by automatic transfer before the holiday. Most billers accept online payments and process them the same day.
What if I need to send an urgent document by mail?
Use Priority Mail Express, which guarantees delivery by a specific date. However, it will not deliver on Columbus Day itself. If you need something to arrive on or before Columbus Day, send it before the holiday. For truly urgent documents, use an overnight courier like FedEx or UPS.
Do credit unions close on Columbus Day?
Most credit unions close on Columbus Day, but not all. Contact your credit union directly to find out its holiday hours. Some stay open with reduced staffing or limited services.
Will my online banking work on Columbus Day?
Yes. Online banking, bill pay, and account transfers work 24/7 on Columbus Day. You can manage your money through your bank's website or app without visiting a branch or calling customer service.