Columbus Day is a federal holiday, but most banks stay open
Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 13, 2025. It is a federal holiday, which means the federal government observes it and federal offices close. However, most banks remain open on Columbus Day — it is not a banking holiday. The distinction matters: federal holidays and banking holidays are not the same thing.
The Federal Reserve and most commercial banks do not close for Columbus Day. You can deposit checks, withdraw cash, and conduct normal banking business. Some individual banks may choose to close, so if you have a specific transaction planned, contact your bank directly to confirm their schedule.
The confusion arises because Columbus Day is a federal holiday but not one of the days the Federal Reserve designates as a banking holiday. The Fed's official banking holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Key Takeaways
- Columbus Day 2025 is Monday, October 13, and federal offices will be closed, but banks will be open.
- Federal holidays and banking holidays are different — a day can be one without being the other.
- The Federal Reserve does not recognize Columbus Day as a banking holiday, so the financial system operates normally.
- Some individual banks may close on Columbus Day, so check with your specific bank if you need to conduct business that day.
- Stock markets close on federal holidays, including Columbus Day, so trading will not occur.
What closes and what stays open on Columbus Day
Federal government offices close on Columbus Day. This includes Social Security offices, the IRS, federal courts, and post offices. If you need to visit a federal office, plan ahead and go the day before or after.
Banks stay open. ATMs work normally. Online banking, mobile apps, and phone banking all operate as usual. Wire transfers and ACH transfers process normally. If you need cash or want to deposit a check, you can do so on Columbus Day at any bank that is open.
The stock market closes on Columbus Day. If you trade stocks or have pending orders, they will not execute on October 13. Bond markets also close. Cryptocurrency exchanges and most online brokerages operate 24/7 and are not affected by federal holidays.
Schools in most states close on Columbus Day, though some states have renamed the holiday or do not observe it. Businesses vary — some close, some stay open. If you work for a private company, check your employee handbook or ask your manager whether your workplace observes Columbus Day.
Why Columbus Day is federal but not a banking holiday
The Federal Reserve sets the banking holiday calendar independently from the federal holiday calendar. Banking holidays are chosen based on what affects the financial system's ability to operate — primarily the days when federal offices that handle money and securities are closed.
Columbus Day does not disrupt banking operations because banks do not depend on federal offices being open to process routine transactions. Deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and loans all work through the banking system itself, not through federal agencies. The Fed can keep the financial system running without federal offices being open.
By contrast, days like Presidents' Day and Memorial Day are also federal holidays but not banking holidays for the same reason. The banking holidays that matter are the ones where federal offices that handle securities settlement, currency, or large financial transactions need to be closed.
How to plan around Columbus Day if you need banking services
If you need to visit a bank branch on October 13, call ahead or check your bank's website to confirm hours. Many banks post holiday schedules online or in their mobile app. Some branches may have reduced hours even if they are technically open.
If you need to deposit a check, use your bank's mobile app or ATM. Most banks allow mobile check deposit 24/7, and ATMs accept deposits at any time. This is often faster than visiting a branch anyway.
If you need to wire money or send an ACH transfer, you can initiate it on Columbus Day through online banking or your bank's app. The transfer will process normally — banking holidays do not delay these transactions.
If you need to speak to a banker about a loan, account issue, or other service that requires a person, plan to call or visit on October 12 or October 14. Federal offices like the IRS will be closed on the 13th, so if your banking question involves tax documents or federal verification, wait until the 14th.
States that do not observe Columbus Day
Several states do not recognize Columbus Day or have renamed it. South Dakota calls it Native American Day. Hawaii calls it Aloha Festivals Day. Alaska calls it Indigenous Peoples' Day. In these states, state offices may be open on October 13, though federal offices remain closed.
If you live in one of these states and work for a state agency, you may be required to work on October 13. If you work for a federal agency, you get the day off regardless of state policy. Private employers follow their own rules.
Banks in these states still remain open on Columbus Day because banking holidays are set by the Federal Reserve, not by individual states.
What to do if you need a federal office on Columbus Day
If you need to visit the IRS, Social Security, a federal courthouse, or a post office on October 13, you will find them closed. Plan your visit for October 12 or October 14 instead.
For the IRS, you can file taxes online or by mail at any time. If you need to speak to someone, call the IRS helpline at 1-800-829-1040. The line operates on federal business days, so it will be closed on Columbus Day.
For Social Security, visit ssa.gov to handle many tasks online. If you need to visit an office, find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator and call ahead to confirm hours.
For the post office, mail will not be delivered on Columbus Day, and post offices will be closed. If you need to mail something, do it on October 12. If you are expecting mail, it will arrive on October 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit on Columbus Day if it is direct deposited?
Yes. Direct deposits process normally on Columbus Day because they move through the banking system, not through federal offices. If your employer processes payroll on October 13, the money will appear in your account on that day or the next business day, depending on your bank's processing schedule.
Can I get cash from an ATM on Columbus Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 and are not affected by federal or banking holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at ATMs on Columbus Day.
Will my mortgage payment be late if I mail it on Columbus Day?
It depends on your mortgage servicer's rules. Mail sent on Columbus Day will not be delivered until October 14, so the servicer will receive it on the 14th or later. Check your mortgage documents for the grace period — most allow 15 days after the due date before charging a late fee. To be safe, pay online or mail it on October 12.
Do credit unions close on Columbus Day?
Most credit unions stay open on Columbus Day, though some may close. Call your credit union to confirm. Credit unions are not required to follow the Federal Reserve's banking holiday schedule, so policies vary by institution.
Will the stock market be open on Columbus Day 2025?
No. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ both close on Columbus Day. Trading will resume on October 14. Pending stock orders will not execute on October 13.