Most banks and the post office close on Veterans Day, but some branches stay open
Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. On that day, most banks observe the federal holiday and close their doors. The U.S. Postal Service also closes all post offices nationwide. However, some banks—particularly larger chains with many branches—may keep select locations open, especially in busy areas or shopping centers. You cannot count on this; you need to check with your specific branch before you go.
If you need banking or postal services on Veterans Day, plan ahead. ATMs and online banking stay available 24/7, so you can withdraw cash or transfer money without visiting a branch. Mail collection boxes remain in place, so you can drop off outgoing mail anytime. Incoming mail does not arrive on Veterans Day, and mail service resumes the next business day.
Key Takeaways
- Federal banks and all post offices close on Veterans Day (November 11), though some bank branches in retail locations may open—call ahead to confirm.
- ATMs work around the clock, and you can deposit checks or withdraw cash on Veterans Day without visiting a branch.
- Mail collection boxes accept outgoing mail on Veterans Day, but postal carriers do not deliver mail that day.
- Mail service resumes on the next business day; if Veterans Day falls on a weekend, the federal holiday is observed on the nearest weekday.
- Wire transfers and online bill payments process normally, though they may not clear until the next business day.
Which banks stay open on Veterans Day
Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank typically close all branches on Veterans Day. However, some branches inside grocery stores, Walmart, or Target locations may operate under the store's hours rather than the bank's standard schedule. These in-store branches are not may provide to be open, and policies vary by location and by parent bank.
Credit unions almost always close on Veterans Day. Community banks and smaller regional banks close as well. The safest approach is to call your branch directly or check the bank's website for Veterans Day hours. Do not assume a branch is open based on what happened last year or what you heard from someone else—policies change, and branch-specific decisions vary.
What you can do on Veterans Day without visiting a branch
ATMs are available 24 hours on Veterans Day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), and check your balance. Debit card transactions process normally at stores and gas stations. Online banking portals stay open, so you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or check transactions.
Wire transfers initiated on Veterans Day typically process the next business day, not immediately. ACH transfers (the standard method for moving money between banks) also queue for the next business day. If you need money to move urgently and Veterans Day falls on a Friday, the transfer will not clear until Monday. Plan accordingly if you have bills due shortly after the holiday.
Post office closures and mail delivery on Veterans Day
All U.S. Postal Service locations close on Veterans Day. This includes post offices, postal annex locations, and contract postal units inside retail stores. You cannot buy stamps, mail packages, or use post office services that day. However, mail collection boxes (the blue boxes on streets and the boxes outside post offices) remain accessible. You can drop off outgoing mail anytime, and it will be collected and processed when service resumes.
Incoming mail does not arrive on Veterans Day. Postal carriers do not deliver. Mail service resumes the next business day. If you are expecting a time-sensitive package or document, do not count on it arriving on Veterans Day. If Veterans Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal holiday is observed on Friday (November 10) or Monday (November 12), and mail service follows that schedule.
When Veterans Day falls on a weekend
When November 11 falls on a Saturday, the federal holiday is observed on Friday, November 10. When it falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed on Monday, November 12. Banks and post offices close on the observed date, not on November 11 itself. This matters for planning: if Veterans Day is observed on a Friday, you have no banking or postal services that day, and the next business day is Monday.
Check a calendar or your bank's holiday schedule to confirm which date the holiday is observed in your area. Some employers and government offices may observe the holiday on the actual date (November 11) even if it falls on a weekend, but banks and post offices follow the federal observed date.
Planning ahead for time-sensitive transactions
If you need to deposit a check, transfer money, or mail a package before or after Veterans Day, do it at least one business day earlier. Do not wait until the day before the holiday if the transaction needs to clear quickly. For example, if you need to mail a bill payment and Veterans Day is on a Thursday, mail it on Wednesday so it arrives in time.
For checks that need to clear before a deadline, deposit them at an ATM or through mobile banking the day before Veterans Day. Mobile check deposit (available through most bank apps) processes the same way as an ATM deposit and counts as next-business-day clearing. If you are paying a bill online, submit it at least two business days before the due date to account for processing delays and the holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an ATM on Veterans Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24 hours on Veterans Day, including holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and transfer money between accounts. Debit card transactions at stores and gas stations also work normally.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Veterans Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for Veterans Day may arrive a day late. Employers typically process payroll the day before, but the actual deposit into your account may not post until the next business day. Check with your employer or bank if you are unsure of the timing.
Can I mail a package on Veterans Day?
You cannot go to a post office on Veterans Day, but you can drop a package in a mail collection box if it has already been labeled and paid for. For new shipments that need postage or a label, you must wait until the post office reopens the next business day.
What if I need to wire money on Veterans Day?
You can initiate a wire transfer online or through an ATM on Veterans Day, but it will not process until the next business day. If you need money to move the same day, you will need to use a different method or wait until after the holiday.
Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?
Yes, credit unions close on Veterans Day just like banks. However, most credit unions offer online banking and ATM access 24/7, so you can handle basic transactions without visiting a branch.