Most banks close on Presidents Day, but some branches and online services stay available
Presidents Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday in February. Most major banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank — close their physical branches on this day. However, online banking, mobile apps, ATMs, and 24-hour customer service lines remain open at nearly all banks, so you can still transfer money, check balances, and pay bills without visiting a branch.
If you need to speak to a person or handle something that requires a teller, you will need to wait until the next business day. Some credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different schedules, so it is worth checking your specific institution's holiday calendar before the day arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Presidents Day at all major national banks, but ATMs and online banking work normally.
- Wire transfers, bill payments, and account transfers can be done through your bank's app or website on Presidents Day without delay.
- Checks deposited through mobile deposit or ATM on Presidents Day may not clear until the following business day because the bank is not processing them.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different holiday schedules, so contact your bank directly if you are unsure.
- If you need cash before Presidents Day, withdraw it ahead of time, since ATMs may run low if many customers use them over the long weekend.
What you can and cannot do on Presidents Day
You can handle most banking tasks on Presidents Day without visiting a branch. Logging into your online account, transferring money between your own accounts, paying bills through your bank's bill-pay system, and depositing checks through mobile deposit all work normally. ATMs dispense cash and accept deposits around the clock. Customer service phone lines and chat support remain staffed at most major banks, though wait times may be longer than usual.
What you cannot do is visit a teller in person. If you need to open a new account, get a cashier's check, report a lost card in person, or handle something that requires a banker's help, you will have to wait until Tuesday. Checks deposited on Presidents Day through an ATM or mobile app will not be processed until the next business day, which may delay when the funds appear in your account.
How check deposits work over the Presidents Day weekend
If you deposit a check through your bank's mobile app or an ATM on Presidents Day (Monday), the bank receives the image or physical check but does not process it until Tuesday morning. This means the funds will not be available until Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the check amount and your bank's standard processing time. The delay is not because of the holiday itself — it is because the bank's processing center is closed and cannot verify the check.
If you deposit a check on Friday before the long weekend, it will be processed on Tuesday morning along with Monday's deposits, so you will see the funds by Wednesday or Thursday. If you need the money sooner, withdraw cash from an ATM before the holiday or use a different payment method that does not require processing time.
Wire transfers and ACH payments on Presidents Day
Wire transfers initiated on Presidents Day will not go through until Tuesday. If you send a wire on Monday, your bank queues it but does not transmit it to the receiving bank until the next business day. This means the recipient will not see the money until Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on their bank's processing speed. If you need to send money urgently, do it on Friday before the holiday.
ACH transfers (the system used for direct deposits, bill payments, and transfers between banks) also pause on federal holidays. A payment you schedule for Presidents Day will not leave your account until Tuesday. However, if you set up a recurring bill payment that is scheduled for Presidents Day, most banks automatically move it to Tuesday without you having to do anything.
Credit unions and regional banks may have different hours
Not all financial institutions follow the same holiday schedule as major national banks. Some credit unions stay open on Presidents Day or have limited hours. Others close completely. The same variation applies to smaller regional and community banks. If you bank with a credit union or a bank that is not one of the "Big Four" (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank), check their website or call ahead to confirm their Presidents Day schedule.
Many credit unions post their holiday hours on their homepage or in their mobile app. If you cannot find the information online, call the branch directly or visit in person the week before to ask. This is especially important if you have a transaction planned that requires a teller or a banker's help.
Planning ahead to avoid delays
If you know you will need cash or have banking tasks that require a branch visit, handle them on Friday before the long weekend. Withdraw extra cash from an ATM in case you need it over the weekend. If you have checks to deposit, use mobile deposit on Friday so they process on Monday morning (the bank processes deposits from the weekend on the next business day). Pay bills through your bank's online system by Friday if the payment needs to reach the recipient by a specific date.
For wire transfers or urgent payments, complete them on Friday. If you forget and realize on Monday that you need something done, check whether your bank offers Saturday hours at any branches — some do, though most do not. If your bank has no Saturday service, you will have to wait until Tuesday morning.
What happens to direct deposits on Presidents Day
If your employer normally deposits your paycheck on Presidents Day, it will likely be delayed by one day. Most employers process payroll on the business day before the holiday, so a Monday payday becomes a Tuesday deposit. However, some employers process payroll on Friday for a Monday deposit, in which case your check will arrive on Friday as usual. Check your pay stub or ask your employer's payroll department which day they process for holidays.
The same rule applies to government payments like Social Security, unemployment benefits, and tax refunds. If a payment is scheduled to arrive on Presidents Day, it will arrive on Tuesday instead. You can see the exact deposit date in your bank's app or by calling customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants, ATMs, and online retailers on Presidents Day. The holiday only affects your bank's branch locations and processing centers, not the payment networks that run debit and credit card transactions.
Will my automatic bill payments go through on Presidents Day?
Automatic bill payments scheduled for Presidents Day will usually process on Tuesday instead. Your bank automatically reschedules them to the next business day. If you have a payment due on a specific date and Presidents Day falls before that date, make sure to schedule the payment for Friday to avoid a late fee.
Can I deposit a check at an ATM on Presidents Day?
Yes, ATMs accept check deposits on Presidents Day. However, the bank will not process the check until Tuesday morning, so the funds will not be available until Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the amount and your bank's standard hold time.
What if I need cash and the ATM is empty?
ATMs can run low during long weekends if many customers withdraw cash. Withdraw what you need on Friday or earlier in the week. If an ATM is empty, try a different location or a different bank's ATM — most banks allow customers from other banks to withdraw cash, though you may pay a fee.
Do online banks close on Presidents Day?
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Marcus do not have physical branches, so there is nothing to close. You can transfer money, pay bills, and manage your account normally on Presidents Day. Customer service may have longer wait times, but the service itself does not stop.