Banks close on Veterans Day, but the impact on your accounts depends on what you're trying to do

Most banks close their physical branches on Veterans Day (November 11), just as they do on other federal holidays. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone in person, you won't be able to do that on the holiday itself. However, ATMs stay open, and online banking works the same way it does any other day.

The real effect on your money comes down to timing. If you deposit a check on the business day before Veterans Day, it may not clear until after the holiday. If you send a wire transfer or ACH payment on Veterans Day itself, it won't process until the next business day. Bills due on Veterans Day don't get a pass — they're still due, and paying late can cost you.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank branches close on Veterans Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7.
  • Checks deposited the day before Veterans Day may not clear until the day after the holiday, delaying access to those funds.
  • Wire transfers and ACH payments initiated on Veterans Day won't process until the next business day.
  • Bills and loan payments due on Veterans Day are still due on that date; paying after the holiday can result in late fees.
  • If Veterans Day falls on a weekend, most banks observe the holiday on the nearest weekday, usually the Friday before or Monday after.

What stays open and what closes on Veterans Day

Physical bank branches close on Veterans Day. Teller windows, loan officers, and customer service desks in the branch won't be staffed. If you need to speak to someone at your bank, you'll have to wait until the next business day or call their phone line (though wait times are often longer on holidays).

ATMs work normally on Veterans Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at ATMs even when the branch is closed. Online banking, mobile apps, and phone banking all function as usual. You can transfer money between your own accounts, check transactions, and set up bill payments from home.

Wire transfers and ACH payments (the electronic transfers used for direct deposit, bill pay, and moving money between banks) do not process on Veterans Day. If you initiate a transfer on the holiday, it enters the queue but won't move until the next business day. This matters most if you're paying a bill that's due on or shortly after the holiday.

How check deposits are delayed around Veterans Day

Checks deposited at an ATM or through mobile deposit on the day before Veterans Day won't clear until after the holiday. Banks don't process deposits on federal holidays, so a check you deposit on Monday (if Veterans Day is Tuesday) won't be processed until Wednesday at the earliest. The funds may not be available in your account until Thursday or later, depending on your bank's policy and the check's origin.

This delay can affect you if you're counting on that money to cover a bill or payment due shortly after the holiday. If you need funds to clear quickly, deposit checks several days before Veterans Day instead. If you're depositing a check on the last business day before the holiday, assume it won't be available for at least two business days after the holiday ends.

Bills and payments due on Veterans Day

If a bill is due on Veterans Day, it's still due on that date. The holiday doesn't extend payment deadlines. If you pay by mail, the payment must arrive by Veterans Day to be on time — and mail sent on the holiday itself won't be delivered that day. If you pay online through your biller's website or your bank's bill pay system, you can schedule the payment to go out on Veterans Day, and it will process the next business day, which may be late.

To avoid late fees, pay bills due on or near Veterans Day at least one business day early. If Veterans Day falls on a Tuesday, pay on Monday. If it falls on a Friday, pay on Thursday. If you're unsure whether your payment will arrive on time, contact the biller directly and ask what date they need to receive it by.

Loan payments (mortgage, car, student loans) follow the same rule. If your payment is due on Veterans Day and you miss it, you may face a late fee even though the bank was closed. Set up automatic payments or pay several days early to avoid this.

When Veterans Day falls on a weekend

When Veterans Day (November 11) lands on a Saturday or Sunday, most banks observe the holiday on the nearest weekday. If November 11 is a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday, November 10. If November 11 is a Sunday, banks typically close on Monday, November 12. Some banks may observe it on the actual date if it falls on a weekend, so check with your bank if you're unsure.

The federal government observes the holiday on the actual date (November 11) or the nearest weekday, but individual banks may have different policies. Call your bank or check their website to confirm which day they'll be closed in years when Veterans Day falls on a weekend.

Planning around Veterans Day closures

If you have a payment due around Veterans Day, schedule it for at least one business day before the holiday. If you need cash, withdraw it before the holiday (ATMs work, but it's easier to get cash from a teller if you need a specific amount). If you're expecting a deposit or transfer, assume it won't arrive until after the holiday.

For checks you need to deposit, use mobile deposit or an ATM several days before Veterans Day if the funds are urgent. If you're paying a bill by check, mail it at least three business days before the due date to account for mail delivery time and the holiday closure.

If you have questions about how your specific bank handles Veterans Day, call their customer service line or check their website. Most banks post holiday hours and explain how transactions are processed around federal holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my ATM on Veterans Day?

Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on Veterans Day, even though bank branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks via ATM, and check your balance. Mobile deposit also works if your bank offers it.

Will my direct deposit arrive on Veterans Day?

Direct deposits scheduled for Veterans Day will not arrive until the next business day. If your paycheck is due on the holiday, it will arrive the day after. If Veterans Day is a Friday, your deposit may not arrive until Monday.

What happens if I pay a bill late because the bank was closed?

The bank's closure does not excuse a late payment. If a bill is due on Veterans Day and you pay after the holiday, you may be charged a late fee. Pay bills due on or near the holiday at least one business day early to avoid this.

Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?

Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, following the same federal holiday schedule as banks. However, some credit unions may have different policies. Check with your credit union directly to confirm their holiday hours.

Can I transfer money between banks on Veterans Day?

You can initiate a transfer through online banking on Veterans Day, but it won't process until the next business day. Wire transfers and ACH payments both wait until the holiday is over to move through the system.