Most banks close on Veterans Day, but the timing depends on which day the holiday falls
Yes, most banks close on Veterans Day. The federal holiday is November 11 each year, though when that date lands on a weekend, the observed holiday shifts to the nearest weekday. If November 11 falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, November 10. If it falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, November 12. On the actual observed day, branch lobbies close and you cannot deposit checks, withdraw cash, or speak to a teller in person.
Online banking, ATMs, and mobile apps stay open during Veterans Day closures. You can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills online, and withdraw cash from ATMs without interruption. The closure only affects in-person services at physical branches.
Some banks process certain transactions overnight even when closed. Deposits made at ATMs or through mobile deposit may post the next business day. Wire transfers initiated before the cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m. the day before) often process on schedule. Check with your specific bank about their cutoff times, because they vary.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Veterans Day (November 11, or the observed weekday if it falls on a weekend), but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Deposits made at ATMs or through mobile deposit on Veterans Day will typically post the next business day, not the same day.
- Wire transfers and bill payments initiated before the bank's cutoff time on the day before Veterans Day usually process on schedule.
- The Federal Reserve does not process payments on Veterans Day, which can delay ACH transfers and other automated clearing house transactions by one business day.
How Veterans Day closures affect different types of transactions
ATM withdrawals and deposits work normally on Veterans Day. You can pull cash or deposit checks at any ATM your bank operates or partners with. Mobile deposit—photographing a check through your bank's app—also works on the holiday itself. The deposit will show as pending immediately but will not clear until the next business day because the Federal Reserve does not process payments on federal holidays.
Wire transfers sent before your bank's cutoff time on November 10 will usually go through on schedule. Wires sent after the cutoff, or on Veterans Day itself, will not leave your account until the next business day. Domestic wires typically arrive the same day they are sent; international wires take longer regardless of holidays.
ACH transfers—automatic payments to other banks, payroll deposits, and bill payments—also pause on Veterans Day. If you set up a bill payment to post on November 11, it will not leave your account until November 12. Payroll deposits scheduled for Veterans Day may arrive a day late depending on when your employer submitted the payroll file.
Planning ahead to avoid delays around Veterans Day
If you need cash on or around Veterans Day, withdraw it before the holiday. ATMs work on the day itself, but if you need a large amount or prefer to speak to a teller, visit your branch on November 10 or earlier. The day before a holiday is typically busy, so plan accordingly.
For bill payments or transfers that must post on a specific date, initiate them at least one business day before Veterans Day. If November 11 is a Tuesday and you need a payment to clear by November 12, send it on November 8 or 9. If Veterans Day falls on a Friday (observed November 10), send payments by November 7.
Payroll and government benefit deposits scheduled for Veterans Day may arrive late. If you receive Social Security, a tax refund, or a paycheck on or near November 11, check your account a day or two after the expected date. Some employers and agencies adjust their payroll schedule to avoid the holiday; others do not.
Credit unions and online-only banks may have different closure schedules
Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, following the same federal holiday schedule as traditional banks. However, some credit unions remain open or offer limited services. Call your credit union ahead of time to confirm their Veterans Day hours.
Online-only banks (those with no physical branches) do not close on Veterans Day because they have no lobbies to close. You can transfer money, pay bills, and deposit checks through their apps on November 11 just as you would on any other day. Processing times for those transactions still depend on the Federal Reserve's schedule, so deposits may not clear until November 12.
Brokerage firms and investment platforms typically close on Veterans Day if they have physical offices, but online trading platforms remain open. You can buy and sell stocks or funds on Veterans Day, though settlement times may be affected by the Federal Reserve closure.
What to do if you need banking services on Veterans Day
Use an ATM to withdraw cash or deposit checks. ATMs are available 24/7 at most banks and do not close for holidays. Deposits made at ATMs on Veterans Day will be processed the next business day.
Pay bills online through your bank's website or app. Online bill pay works on Veterans Day; the payment will be scheduled to leave your account on the next business day if you submit it on the holiday itself.
Transfer money between your own accounts using your bank's app or website. These transfers are usually instant or complete within a few hours, even on holidays, as long as both accounts are at the same bank.
Contact your bank's customer service line. Most banks operate phone support on Veterans Day, though wait times may be longer than usual. You can ask questions about pending transactions, report fraud, or request assistance with account issues.
How the Federal Reserve closure affects your bank
The Federal Reserve does not operate on Veterans Day, which means the clearing house for bank-to-bank transfers shuts down. ACH transactions (payroll, bill payments, automatic transfers) cannot be processed. Wire transfers initiated before the cutoff time on November 10 will go through, but new wires cannot be sent on Veterans Day itself.
Checks deposited on Veterans Day will not clear until November 12 at the earliest, even if you deposit them at an ATM or through mobile deposit on the holiday. The bank receives the image immediately, but the actual funds cannot be transferred until the Federal Reserve reopens.
This delay affects both individuals and businesses. If you are waiting for a check to clear before you can withdraw those funds, plan for an extra day around Veterans Day. If you are sending a check to pay a bill, mail it by November 8 to ensure it arrives and clears by November 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants, ATMs, and online retailers on Veterans Day. Your bank branch may be closed, but the card itself functions normally. Purchases will post to your account, though the exact timing depends on the merchant and your bank.
Will my direct deposit arrive late if it is scheduled for Veterans Day?
It may arrive a day late. Payroll deposits scheduled for November 11 often arrive on November 12 because the Federal Reserve does not process ACH transfers on federal holidays. Some employers adjust their payroll schedule to avoid the holiday; others do not. Check with your employer or your bank if you are unsure.
What if I need to deposit a check urgently on Veterans Day?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app to photograph the check. It will show as pending immediately, but will not clear until November 12. If you need the cash sooner, withdraw it from an ATM using your debit card or a cash advance if your bank offers it.
Do online banks close for Veterans Day?
Online-only banks do not close because they have no physical branches. You can transfer money and deposit checks on Veterans Day. However, the Federal Reserve closure still affects when deposits clear and when transfers to other banks are processed.
Will my bill payment go through if I schedule it for Veterans Day?
If you schedule a bill payment for November 11, it will not leave your account until November 12. To ensure a payment posts on a specific date, schedule it for at least one business day before that date. If you need it to post by November 12, schedule it for November 9 or earlier.