Most banks close on Veterans Day, but some branches stay open depending on where you bank
Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. On this federal holiday, most traditional banks — Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, and regional banks — close their physical branches. However, ATMs stay available 24/7 at nearly every bank, and online banking continues to work normally. Some credit unions and smaller banks may have different schedules, so checking with your specific institution matters.
If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on Veterans Day itself, an ATM is your fastest option. If you need to speak to someone at a branch, you'll have to wait until the next business day. Some banks open the day after Veterans Day even if it falls on a weekend, but this varies by institution.
Key Takeaways
- Major banks close their branches on Veterans Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available around the clock.
- Checks deposited at an ATM on Veterans Day typically post the next business day, not immediately.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different holiday schedules, so call ahead if you're unsure.
- If you need to speak with a banker in person, plan to visit on the day before or after Veterans Day.
- Wire transfers and bill payments can usually be set up online or through an ATM even when branches are closed.
What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day at your bank
ATMs work on Veterans Day just like any other day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, transfer money between your own accounts, and check your balance. Deposits made at an ATM on Veterans Day will typically post to your account the next business day, not immediately — this is standard ATM processing, not a holiday delay.
Online banking portals and mobile apps also function normally. You can pay bills, transfer money, set up automatic payments, and check your account from your phone or computer. Wire transfers initiated online may process on Veterans Day depending on your bank's system, though some banks hold wire requests until the next business day. Call your bank's customer service line if you need to send money urgently — many banks staff their phone lines even when branches close.
What you cannot do is visit a teller, open a new account, get a cashier's check, or speak face-to-face with a loan officer. If you need any of these services, you'll need to visit on a different day.
Which banks definitely close on Veterans Day
The major national banks close all their branches on Veterans Day: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, U.S. Bank, PNC Bank, and TD Bank all observe the holiday. Most regional banks do the same. If you bank with one of these institutions, assume your branch is closed on November 11.
Some banks that operate in specific regions — like USAA (primarily for military members and their families), Navy Federal Credit Union, and Armed Forces Bank — may have modified schedules on Veterans Day. USAA, for example, sometimes keeps limited services available given the holiday's significance to their customer base, but this is not may provide every year. Call ahead to confirm.
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover Bank do not have physical branches, so the concept of "closing" does not apply. Their services run continuously, though customer service phone lines may have reduced hours.
How to handle banking needs around Veterans Day
If you know you'll need to bank on or around Veterans Day, plan ahead. Deposit checks at an ATM a day or two before the holiday if you need the funds to clear quickly. Pay bills online or through your mobile app rather than waiting to visit a branch. If you need cash, withdraw it before Veterans Day or use an ATM on the holiday itself.
For time-sensitive transactions — large transfers, wire payments, or account changes — handle them on the business day before Veterans Day. If you wait until Veterans Day and something goes wrong, you won't be able to reach a banker until the next business day.
If you're unsure whether your specific bank or credit union closes on Veterans Day, call their main customer service line or check their website. Most banks post holiday hours online, and a quick search for "[Your Bank Name] Veterans Day hours" will usually give you the answer.
What happens if you need emergency banking on Veterans Day
If you face a genuine emergency — a fraudulent charge, a compromised account, or an urgent wire transfer — call your bank's customer service line on Veterans Day. Most major banks staff their phone lines 24/7, even when branches are closed. You can report fraud, place a hold on your account, or request emergency assistance over the phone.
For wire transfers that cannot wait, explain the situation to the phone representative. Some banks can process emergency wires even on holidays, though this is not may provide and may involve fees or delays. Having your account number and identification ready will speed up the call.
If your debit card is lost or stolen on Veterans Day, call your bank immediately to report it. They can freeze the card and issue a replacement, and you can use your ATM card or online banking to access funds in the meantime.
ATM deposits and checks on Veterans Day
Depositing a check at an ATM on Veterans Day works the same way as any other day. The ATM accepts the check, scans it, and credits your account. However, the check will not clear until the next business day — in this case, the day after Veterans Day. If Veterans Day falls on a Thursday, your check clears on Friday. If it falls on a Friday, your check clears on Monday.
Some banks offer next-business-day clearing for ATM deposits, but most use standard processing. If you need the money to clear faster, deposit the check at a branch on the day before Veterans Day instead.
Mobile check deposits (taking a photo of the check through your bank's app) follow the same timeline. The photo is submitted on Veterans Day, but the check clears the next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM or merchant on Veterans Day, regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The bank's branch closure does not affect card processing. You can make purchases, withdraw cash, and use your card normally.
Will my bill payment process if I submit it online on Veterans Day?
It depends on when you submit it and how far in the future you schedule it. If you schedule a bill payment for a date after Veterans Day, it will process on that date even if you submit it on the holiday. If you submit a same-day payment on Veterans Day, most banks will hold it until the next business day.
Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?
Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, but some stay open with reduced hours. Call your credit union to confirm. Military-affiliated credit unions like Navy Federal sometimes have modified schedules on this holiday.
What if I need a cashier's check on Veterans Day?
You cannot get a cashier's check on Veterans Day because branches are closed. Plan ahead and request one the day before. If you need one urgently after the holiday, visit first thing when the branch reopens.
Can I transfer money between banks on Veterans Day?
You can initiate a transfer through online banking on Veterans Day, but it may not process until the next business day. ACH transfers (between different banks) typically take one to three business days regardless of when you submit them. Wire transfers may process the same day if submitted early enough, but this varies by bank.