Banks are closed on Veterans Day, which falls on November 11 each year
Most banks in the United States close on Veterans Day as a federal holiday. This means you cannot visit a branch, use a teller, or conduct in-person business. However, you can still access your money through ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps — these services run 24/7 regardless of the holiday.
If November 11 falls on a weekend, banks observe the holiday on the nearest weekday. When Veterans Day lands on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday, November 10. When it lands on a Sunday, they close on Monday, November 12. Check with your specific bank to confirm their exact closure date, as some regional institutions may have different policies.
The closure affects deposit processing and check clearing. Any deposits you make at an ATM or through mobile banking on Veterans Day will typically post the next business day. Wire transfers and other time-sensitive transactions should be handled before the holiday if you need them to clear the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Veterans Day (November 11), but ATMs and online banking remain available around the clock.
- Deposits made on Veterans Day will post the next business day, not the same day.
- When November 11 falls on a weekend, banks close on the nearest weekday — Friday if it's a Saturday, Monday if it's a Sunday.
- Wire transfers and time-sensitive transactions should be sent before the holiday to avoid delays.
- Credit unions and some smaller banks may have different holiday schedules, so contact your institution directly to confirm.
What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day
You can withdraw cash from any ATM, check your balance, transfer money between accounts, and deposit checks through mobile banking or ATM envelopes. You can also pay bills online, set up automatic payments, and access customer service through phone lines or chat — though response times may be slower because fewer staff are working.
You cannot visit a branch to speak with a teller, open a new account in person, apply for a loan face-to-face, or get a cashier's check from the bank directly. If you need a cashier's check or other services that require a teller, plan ahead and get what you need on November 10 or wait until November 12.
Some banks offer limited services through their call center on holidays. If you have an urgent issue, try calling the customer service number on the back of your card — you may reach someone even though branches are closed.
How to plan ahead for Veterans Day banking needs
If you need cash, withdraw it on November 10. ATMs work on the holiday, but if the machine runs out of money or malfunctions, you will have no way to get cash until the next business day. Taking out what you need before the holiday eliminates this risk.
If you need a cashier's check, certified check, or money order, request it before November 11. These items require a teller and cannot be obtained through ATMs or online banking. Many banks can issue them same-day if you visit before 2 or 3 p.m., depending on the branch.
If you are expecting a direct deposit or check to clear, remember that Veterans Day delays processing by one day. Payroll deposits scheduled for November 11 will typically post on November 12. Checks deposited on the holiday will not clear until November 13 at the earliest.
Wire transfers and time-sensitive payments on Veterans Day
Do not send a wire transfer on Veterans Day if you need the money to arrive the same day — it will not. Wire transfers initiated on the holiday will process the next business day. If you have a payment due on November 11, send the wire on November 10 instead.
Automatic bill payments set up in advance will still go through on their scheduled date, even if that date is Veterans Day. The payment leaves your account on time, so you do not need to reschedule recurring bills. However, if you need to cancel or change an automatic payment, do that before the holiday.
ACH transfers (the slower, free transfers between banks) also process on the next business day if initiated on Veterans Day. If the transfer is urgent, send it before November 11.
Credit unions and online banks on Veterans Day
Most credit unions close on Veterans Day just like traditional banks. However, some smaller credit unions may stay open or have different holiday schedules. Call your credit union directly to confirm whether it will be open on November 11.
Online banks with no physical branches (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Marcus) do not close on Veterans Day because they have no branches to close. You can deposit checks through mobile banking, transfer money, and access customer service the same as any other day. However, processing times for deposits and transfers may still be one day longer because the banking system itself is closed.
If you bank with an online-only institution, you have more flexibility on Veterans Day. You can handle most transactions without worrying about branch closures. Just remember that the receiving bank or the Federal Reserve may still be closed, which can delay when money actually arrives.
What happens to checks and deposits on Veterans Day
A check deposited through a mobile app or ATM on Veterans Day will not clear until at least November 13. The bank receives the image but cannot process it through the clearing system until the next business day. This is standard for any holiday, not specific to Veterans Day.
If you deposit a check on November 10 (the day before), it will clear on November 12 (the day after the holiday). The bank counts Veterans Day as a non-business day, so the clearing timeline skips over it.
Remote deposit capture (taking a photo of a check through your phone) works on Veterans Day, but the check will not post to your account until November 12. The same delay applies whether you deposit at 6 a.m. or 11 p.m. on the holiday.
Planning for payroll and direct deposits around Veterans Day
If your employer pays you by direct deposit and payday falls on November 11, your paycheck will arrive on November 12 instead. Most employers schedule payroll to hit accounts on the next business day when a payday lands on a federal holiday. Confirm with your payroll department if you are unsure.
If payday is November 10 (the Friday before Veterans Day weekend), your deposit will post normally on November 10. If payday is November 12 (the Monday after), your deposit will post on November 12. Only when payday is November 11 itself does it shift to the next business day.
Government benefit payments (Social Security, disability, veteran benefits) that are scheduled for November 11 will post on November 12. The same rule applies: the payment moves to the next business day when a federal holiday falls on the scheduled payment date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at any merchant, ATM, or online retailer on Veterans Day. The bank holiday only affects branch services, not card transactions or ATM access. You can swipe, tap, or insert your card anywhere that accepts it.
Will my automatic bill payment go through on Veterans Day?
Yes, if it is already set up. Recurring payments scheduled for November 11 will process on time. The money leaves your account as planned. You do not need to reschedule or adjust anything.
What if I need cash and the ATM is broken on Veterans Day?
You will have to wait until November 12 when the branch reopens. This is why it is smart to withdraw cash on November 10 if you know you will need it over the holiday weekend. ATMs can malfunction or run out of money, and you have no backup option when branches are closed.
Do online banks close on Veterans Day?
No. Banks with no physical branches stay open and operate normally on Veterans Day. You can deposit checks, transfer money, and contact customer service the same as any other day. Processing times may still be one day longer because the banking system itself observes the holiday.
When will a check I deposit on Veterans Day clear?
A check deposited on November 11 will clear on November 13 at the earliest. The bank cannot process it through the clearing system until the next business day after the holiday ends. If you need the money sooner, deposit it on November 10 instead.