Most banks close on Good Friday, but some branches and online services stay open
Good Friday is a federal holiday, so most traditional bank branches close for the day. However, the closure is not absolute — some banks keep certain locations open, and online banking, ATMs, and mobile apps work normally. If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on Good Friday, plan ahead by visiting your bank's website or calling ahead to confirm whether your specific branch will be staffed.
The banks that do close on Good Friday typically resume normal hours the following Monday. Any transactions you submit online or through an ATM on Good Friday will process, but deposits made after business hours may not clear until the next business day anyway, so the holiday itself may not delay you as much as you think.
Key Takeaways
- Most bank branches close on Good Friday because it is a federal holiday, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Some larger banks and credit unions keep select branches open on Good Friday, so check your bank's website for your specific location.
- Deposits made through ATMs or mobile apps on Good Friday will process, though they may not clear until the following business day.
- Wire transfers and time-sensitive transactions should be completed before Good Friday or scheduled for the following Monday.
Which banks stay open and which close
Major national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank typically close all branches on Good Friday. Regional banks and credit unions vary — some close entirely, while others keep a handful of branches open in larger cities. The only way to know for certain is to check your bank's holiday schedule on their website or call the specific branch you plan to visit.
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Marcus do not have physical branches, so the holiday does not affect them. Their websites and apps function normally on Good Friday, and you can transfer money, pay bills, and check balances without interruption.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
You can: Use ATMs to withdraw cash or deposit checks, transfer money through your bank's mobile app or website, pay bills online, check your account balance, and set up automatic payments. All of these services run 24/7 and do not stop for holidays.
You cannot: Speak to a teller, open a new account in person, get a cashier's check, or resolve account issues that require a staff member. If you need a notary or safe deposit box access, those services are also unavailable when branches are closed.
Wire transfers submitted on Good Friday may not process until the following business day, depending on your bank's cutoff time. If you are sending money to another bank or country, submit the request before Good Friday if the timing is critical.
Planning ahead for Good Friday transactions
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check on Good Friday, withdraw money or use a mobile deposit on Thursday instead. Mobile deposit — where you photograph a check through your bank's app — works on Good Friday and usually clears by the next business day anyway.
For transactions that require a staff member, such as opening a new account, applying for a loan, or disputing a charge, schedule an appointment for Thursday or wait until Monday. Calling your bank's customer service line on Good Friday may connect you to a limited support team, but response times are often longer.
How Good Friday affects refund timing
If you are waiting for a tax refund, insurance refund, or government payment to arrive on Good Friday, the holiday may delay the deposit by one business day. The payment itself may be processed and sent to your bank on Thursday, but if your bank is closed on Friday, the funds will not appear in your account until Monday.
Check the expected deposit date on your refund status tracker or payment notification. If the date falls on Good Friday, assume the money will land on Monday instead. This applies to direct deposits from the IRS, state agencies, employers, and insurance companies.
What happens to automatic payments and bill pay on Good Friday
Automatic payments and bill pay scheduled for Good Friday will process normally. Your bank will send the payment on that day, and it will reach the recipient by the next business day or according to the standard timeline you set up. You do not need to reschedule these transactions.
However, if you are paying a bill to a company that is also closed on Good Friday, the payment may sit in their queue until they reopen on Monday. This does not affect your bank's record — the payment will show as sent on your end — but the recipient may not process it until the following day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on Good Friday?
Yes, through mobile deposit or an ATM. Use your bank's mobile app to photograph the check, or insert it into an ATM deposit envelope. The check will process on Good Friday and typically clear by the next business day, the same as any other day.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Good Friday?
It depends on when your employer or the paying agency sends it. If they submit it before Good Friday, your bank will receive it and deposit it into your account on Friday, even though the branch is closed. If they send it on Friday, it may not appear until Monday.
What if I need cash and my bank is closed on Good Friday?
Use an ATM. Your bank's ATMs operate 24/7 on holidays, and you can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks without visiting a branch. ATMs from other banks may charge a fee, so use your bank's network if possible.
Do credit unions close on Good Friday?
Most do, but not all. Call your credit union or check their website for holiday hours. Some larger credit unions keep branches open in major cities, while smaller ones close entirely. Online banking and ATMs work regardless of branch closures.
Will a wire transfer go through on Good Friday?
It depends on your bank's cutoff time. Most banks stop accepting wire transfers in the early afternoon on business days. If you submit a wire on Good Friday after the cutoff, it will not process until Monday. Submit time-sensitive wires on Thursday to be safe.