Most banks close on Good Friday, but some branches stay open
Good Friday is a federal holiday, so most banks observe it as a day off. The major national banks—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others—close their physical branches on Good Friday. ATMs and online banking remain available, but you cannot visit a teller, deposit checks in person, or handle transactions that require a staff member.
Some smaller regional banks and credit unions may stay open on Good Friday, depending on their own holiday policies. A few branches in areas with large non-Christian populations sometimes remain open because Good Friday is not a holiday for everyone. The only way to know for certain is to call your specific branch or check your bank's website before the day arrives.
Federal Reserve operations also close on Good Friday, which means wire transfers and other interbank transactions may process more slowly. If you need to move money between banks, plan ahead and send it before Good Friday or expect it to clear after the holiday.
Key Takeaways
- Major national banks close their branches on Good Friday, though ATMs and online banking stay open.
- Some regional banks and credit unions remain open on Good Friday, so contact your branch directly to confirm.
- Wire transfers and interbank transactions may delay because the Federal Reserve is closed on Good Friday.
- Plan any in-person banking needs for Thursday or the following Monday to avoid delays.
- Your bank's website or customer service line can tell you whether your specific branch is open.
How to check if your bank is open on Good Friday
The fastest way is to call your branch directly. The phone number is on your debit card, your bank statement, or the bank's website. Ask whether they will be open on Good Friday and what time they close on Thursday before the holiday.
You can also log into your online banking account and look for holiday hours. Most banks post their Good Friday schedule weeks in advance. If the website does not list it, use the branch locator tool to find your branch's phone number and call.
If you bank with a credit union, check their website or call their main office. Credit union policies vary more widely than national banks, so do not assume your credit union follows the same schedule as Chase or Bank of America.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
You can use ATMs to withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. ATMs run on a separate system and do not require staff, so they work on holidays.
You can use online banking to pay bills, transfer money, check balances, and set up future transactions. These changes process when the bank reopens, not immediately, but you can make them anytime.
You cannot deposit checks in person, speak to a teller, open a new account, or get a cashier's check on Good Friday. If you need a cashier's check or have a question only a person can answer, handle it Thursday or Monday.
Mobile deposits (photographing a check through your bank's app) may work on Good Friday, depending on your bank. Check your app to see if the deposit feature is available. Even if you can photograph the check, it will not process until the bank reopens.
Wire transfers and interbank payments on Good Friday
Wire transfers sent on Good Friday will not go through until Monday because the Federal Reserve is closed. If you send a wire on Thursday, it may still process Friday if you send it early enough, but do not count on it. The safest approach is to send wires by Wednesday if you need the money to arrive by Friday.
ACH transfers (the slower, free method most banks use for moving money between accounts) also pause on Good Friday. A transfer you start on Friday will not begin processing until Monday.
If you are expecting a wire transfer to arrive on Good Friday, it will not land in your account until Monday. Tell the person sending it to plan accordingly.
Planning around Good Friday bank closures
If you need cash, withdraw it on Thursday. If you need to deposit a check, do it Thursday or wait until Monday. If you need a cashier's check or a bank statement, get it Thursday.
If you are paying a bill that is due on Good Friday or the weekend, pay it online or by phone before Thursday. Do not wait until Friday morning if the payment needs to clear by a specific date.
If you have a banking problem that requires a staff member—a disputed charge, a frozen account, a question about your mortgage—call Thursday or wait until Monday. Customer service lines may have limited hours on Good Friday even if some branches are open.
Good Friday closures at different types of banks
| Bank Type | Good Friday Status | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| National banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) | Closed | All branches close; check website for exact hours Thursday |
| Regional banks | Usually closed, sometimes open | Call your branch; policies vary by bank and location |
| Credit unions | Usually closed, sometimes open | Call your credit union; each sets its own holiday schedule |
| Online-only banks | Open (no branches) | Customer service may have reduced hours; check their site |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at ATMs and stores on Good Friday. You can withdraw cash from any ATM, even ones not owned by your bank (though you may pay a fee). Purchases at stores go through normally.
Will my paycheck deposit on Good Friday if my employer sends it?
Direct deposits sent on Good Friday will not post to your account until Monday because the Federal Reserve is closed. If your employer normally deposits on Friday, your money arrives Monday instead. Check with your employer if you are unsure when they send payroll.
What if I need to deposit a check on Good Friday?
If your bank is closed, you cannot deposit in person. Use mobile deposit (photograph the check in your app) if your bank offers it, though the check will not process until Monday. Otherwise, wait until Monday to deposit it.
Do online banks close on Good Friday?
Online-only banks have no physical branches, so there is nothing to close. You can use their website and app anytime. Customer service phone lines may have reduced hours, so check their website for Good Friday support availability.
If I send a wire transfer Thursday night, will it go through before Good Friday?
Probably not. Most wires sent after business hours Thursday will not process until Monday. If you need a wire to go through before the holiday, send it by mid-morning Thursday at the latest, and confirm with your bank that it went through.