Most banks close on Memorial Day, but some branches and services stay open
Memorial Day is a federal holiday, and most banks treat it the same way they treat other federal holidays: they close their physical branches and do not process transactions. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone in person, your bank will not be open on Memorial Day itself.
However, the full picture is more complicated. Some banks offer limited services on the holiday, and digital banking never stops. ATMs work 24/7, online transfers happen around the clock, and mobile deposits go through whenever you submit them. The key is knowing which services your specific bank keeps running and which ones pause until the next business day.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Memorial Day, but ATMs and online banking work normally.
- Transactions you submit on Memorial Day (like bill payments or transfers) typically process the next business day.
- Some banks operate limited-hour branches or drive-through windows in certain locations, so calling ahead is worth the effort.
- If you need cash or to deposit a check on Memorial Day, plan to use an ATM or mobile deposit before the holiday arrives.
- Credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, with rare exceptions for branches in specific regions.
What closes and what stays open on Memorial Day
Bank branches close entirely on Memorial Day. Teller windows, loan officers, and customer service desks do not operate. If your bank has a drive-through window, it will be closed too. This applies to all major national banks—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank—and to most regional and local banks.
ATMs remain active. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot) on Memorial Day. Online banking platforms stay open, so you can log in and view your accounts, transfer money between your own accounts, or set up bill payments. Mobile banking apps work the same way. Transactions submitted through these channels process normally, though they may not clear until the next business day.
Some banks operate limited-hour branches or standalone ATM kiosks in high-traffic areas like airports or shopping centers. A few large banks have experimented with holiday hours at select locations, but this is not standard. Call your specific branch before Memorial Day if you think you might need in-person service.
When transactions actually process after you submit them on Memorial Day
If you transfer money, pay a bill, or send a wire on Memorial Day through online banking or mobile app, the transaction enters the queue but does not clear until Tuesday. The federal banking system does not process transactions on federal holidays, so anything submitted on Monday sits in a holding pattern overnight.
This matters most for bill payments. If you pay a credit card bill or utility bill on Memorial Day, your bank records the submission that day, but the payment does not leave your account or reach the creditor until the next business day. If a bill is due on Memorial Day itself, paying on that day will likely be late. Plan ahead and submit payments by Friday before the holiday.
Wire transfers follow the same rule. Domestic wires submitted on Memorial Day do not move until Tuesday. International wires take even longer and may not process until Wednesday. If you need money to move by a specific date, submit it before the holiday.
Mobile deposit and check handling on Memorial Day
Mobile deposit—photographing a check with your phone and submitting it through your bank's app—works on Memorial Day. You can take the photo and submit it anytime. However, the bank does not process the image and credit your account until the next business day. The check itself still needs to clear through the banking system, which takes one to three business days after processing begins.
If you have a check you need to deposit urgently, submit it via mobile deposit before Memorial Day so processing starts on Friday. Checks deposited on Memorial Day will not begin processing until Tuesday, which delays the funds hitting your account by at least a day.
Physical check deposits at a teller window are impossible on Memorial Day since branches are closed. ATMs with deposit slots accept envelopes, but the bank processes them the next business day just like mobile deposits.
Credit unions and Memorial Day hours
Credit unions follow the federal holiday calendar and close on Memorial Day. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) designates Memorial Day as a holiday, so the vast majority of credit unions shut down their branches. ATMs and online banking work the same way they do at banks—available 24/7, with transactions processing the next business day.
A small number of credit unions in specific regions may operate on Memorial Day if their bylaws allow it or if they serve members in areas where the holiday is observed differently. This is rare. Call your credit union before the holiday if you think you might need a branch visit.
Planning ahead to avoid Memorial Day banking problems
The simplest approach is to handle banking needs before Friday. Deposit checks, withdraw cash, and submit bill payments by end of business Friday. This ensures everything clears before the three-day weekend and prevents late payments or missed deadlines.
If you absolutely need cash on Memorial Day, withdraw it on Friday or use an ATM on the holiday. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit or an ATM deposit slot on Monday, knowing it will not process until Tuesday. If a payment is due on or shortly after Memorial Day, submit it by Friday.
For recurring bills—utilities, credit cards, loan payments—set up automatic payments in advance so they go out on schedule regardless of holidays. Most banks let you schedule automatic payments weeks or months ahead, and they process on the date you specify even if that date falls on a federal holiday.
What to do if you have an urgent banking need on Memorial Day
If you genuinely need to handle something on Memorial Day itself, your options are limited but real. ATMs let you withdraw cash and deposit checks. Online banking and mobile apps let you transfer money between your own accounts and set up bill payments (though they process the next day). Some banks offer customer service phone lines on holidays, though wait times are longer and they cannot process certain transactions.
If your bank has a 24-hour customer service line, call and explain your situation. They may be able to help with account questions or flag a transaction for priority processing on Tuesday. They cannot override the federal banking system's holiday closure, but they can sometimes make notes on your account that help when business resumes.
For true emergencies—a payment that will cause serious harm if it is late, or a fraud issue—contact your bank's fraud department or customer service line. They have protocols for holiday situations and may be able to escalate your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Memorial Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and at any merchant (grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants) on Memorial Day. Your bank's branch is closed, but the card itself functions normally. Transactions at merchants process through the payment network immediately, though they may take a day to appear in your account balance.
Will my direct deposit hit my account on Memorial Day if it is scheduled for that day?
No. Employers and payroll processors do not submit direct deposits on federal holidays. If your payday falls on Memorial Day, your deposit typically arrives on Tuesday. Check with your employer or payroll department to confirm their specific holiday schedule.
What if I need to report fraud on Memorial Day?
Call your bank's fraud department line. Most major banks operate fraud lines 24/7, including on federal holidays. They can place a fraud alert on your account, freeze cards, and begin an investigation. Do not wait until Tuesday if you suspect unauthorized activity.
Do online-only banks close on Memorial Day?
No. Banks that operate entirely online (like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, or Marcus) do not have physical branches, so there is nothing to close. Their websites and apps work normally on Memorial Day. Customer service phone lines may have reduced hours, but account access and transactions function as usual.
Can I pay rent or a mortgage on Memorial Day?
You can submit a payment through online banking or mobile app on Memorial Day, but it will not process until Tuesday. If rent or a mortgage payment is due on Memorial Day itself, submit it by Friday to avoid a late fee. Check your lease or mortgage agreement for the exact due date and any grace period.