Most U.S. banks close on Labor Day, the first Monday in September
Yes, the vast majority of banks in the United States close on Labor Day. This is a federal holiday, and banks treat it the same way they treat Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day — they shut their physical branches and do not process transactions that day.
The banks that close include all the major national chains: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and regional banks in your area. Credit unions also close on Labor Day. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone in person, you will not be able to do it on Labor Day itself.
However, some banking services still work on Labor Day even though branches are closed. ATMs run 24/7, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance. Online banking platforms stay open, so you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or check transactions. Mobile apps work the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Labor Day, which falls on the first Monday in September each year.
- ATMs and online banking remain available on Labor Day, so you can withdraw cash and move money between your own accounts.
- Deposits made on Labor Day through ATM or mobile app will not post until the next business day, usually Tuesday.
- Wire transfers and payments to other people typically do not process on Labor Day, even if you submit them online.
- Plan ahead if you need cash or need to make a deposit — visit your bank on Friday or Saturday before the holiday.
What banking services work and do not work on Labor Day
ATMs work on Labor Day because they are machines, not staffed locations. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks into an ATM envelope, transfer money between your accounts, and check your balance. However, any deposit you make on Labor Day will not be credited to your account until Tuesday morning, because no one processes it until the bank reopens.
Online and mobile banking platforms stay open on Labor Day. You can log in, view your account, transfer money between accounts you own at the same bank, and set up bill payments. The catch is timing: if you schedule a payment or transfer for Labor Day, it will not actually move until Tuesday at the earliest.
Services that do not work on Labor Day include speaking to a teller, getting a cashier's check, applying for a loan, and resolving account problems that require a person. Wire transfers to other banks or people do not process on Labor Day. If you send a wire on Labor Day through online banking, it will sit in queue and process on Tuesday morning.
When deposits and payments actually post after Labor Day
A check you deposit into an ATM on Labor Day will not show up in your account until Tuesday morning. The bank does not process ATM deposits on the holiday itself, so there is a one-day delay. If you deposit on Tuesday morning, it will post that same day or the next day, depending on the time you deposit and your bank's processing schedule.
A payment you schedule online on Labor Day will process on Tuesday, assuming you set it for Labor Day or left it as "as soon as possible." If you schedule it for a specific future date, that date does not change — the bank will process it on whatever day you chose, as long as that day is not Labor Day itself.
Wire transfers work the same way. If you initiate a wire on Labor Day, it queues and sends on Tuesday morning. If you need money to arrive somewhere on a specific day, do not send a wire on Labor Day or the day before, because the one-day delay will push it back.
How to plan ahead if you need cash or need to make a deposit
If you know you will need cash over the Labor Day weekend, withdraw it on Friday or Saturday. ATMs work on the weekend, so you can get money anytime. If you wait until Monday morning, you will have to use an ATM, which is fine — but if you need a large amount or need to speak to someone, Friday is your last chance.
If you have checks to deposit, use an ATM or mobile app on Friday or Saturday. Mobile check deposit (taking a photo of the check through your bank's app) works on weekends and on Labor Day itself, though the check will not post until Tuesday. ATM deposit envelopes also work on weekends.
If you need to pay a bill by a certain date and that date falls on or just after Labor Day, schedule the payment for the Friday before. Do not wait until Monday, because the bank will not process it until Tuesday, and it may arrive late.
Banks that may have different Labor Day hours
A small number of banks stay open on some federal holidays, but Labor Day is not one of them. Banks are required by federal law to close on Labor Day, so there are no exceptions for major chains or regional banks.
Some credit unions may have slightly different policies, so if you use a credit union, check their website or call ahead to confirm. The vast majority close on Labor Day like traditional banks, but a few smaller credit unions in rural areas have been known to stay open on some holidays.
Online-only banks (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover) do not have physical branches, so the concept of "closing" does not apply to them. Their online platforms and customer service chatbots stay available on Labor Day, though human customer service representatives may not be available.
What to do if you have an emergency on Labor Day
If you need cash on Labor Day and did not plan ahead, use an ATM. Every bank has ATMs scattered throughout your area, and they work 24/7. You can withdraw up to your daily limit, which varies by bank but is usually $500 to $1,000.
If you need to move money urgently on Labor Day, use online banking or your mobile app to transfer between your own accounts. That works immediately, even though the bank is closed. If you need to send money to someone else, you can schedule it for Tuesday, but it will not go out until then.
If you have a genuine emergency — a fraudulent charge, a locked account, or a critical issue — call your bank's customer service line. Most banks have a phone line that stays open on holidays for emergencies. They may not be able to resolve everything, but they can tell you what to do and what will happen when the branch reopens on Tuesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on Labor Day using my phone?
Yes. Mobile check deposit works on Labor Day — you photograph the front and back of the check through your bank's app and submit it. The check will not post to your account until Tuesday morning, but you can deposit it on the holiday itself.
Will a payment I schedule online on Labor Day go out that day?
No. Any payment or transfer you schedule on Labor Day will not process until Tuesday at the earliest. If you need a payment to arrive by a specific date, schedule it for the Friday before Labor Day instead.
What is the daily ATM withdrawal limit on Labor Day?
The limit is the same on Labor Day as any other day — usually $500 to $1,000, depending on your bank and account type. Check your bank's website or call customer service to find out your specific limit.
Do online banks close on Labor Day?
Online-only banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. Their websites and apps stay open on Labor Day, though customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be unavailable.
Can I get a cashier's check on Labor Day?
No. Cashier's checks require a teller, and tellers do not work on Labor Day. If you need a cashier's check, visit your bank on Friday or Saturday before the holiday.