December 26 is not a federal bank holiday in the United States
Banks and federal offices will be open on December 26. The day after Christmas is a regular business day for federal institutions, the Federal Reserve, and most private banks. If you need to deposit a check, transfer money, or visit your bank branch, you can do so on December 26 without delay.
Some other countries observe Boxing Day on December 26, but the United States does not recognize it as an official holiday. The federal government observes Christmas on December 25, and the next federal holiday after that is New Year's Day on January 1.
However, individual banks and financial institutions may have their own holiday schedules that differ from the federal calendar. Some banks choose to close on days that are not federal holidays, or they may stay open on federal holidays. You should check with your specific bank about their December 26 hours before you plan a visit.
Key Takeaways
- December 26 is a regular business day for federal banks and the Federal Reserve, and you can conduct normal banking transactions.
- The U.S. federal government does not observe Boxing Day, which some other countries celebrate on December 26.
- Individual banks may have different holiday schedules than the federal calendar, so contact your bank directly to confirm their hours.
- The next federal holiday after Christmas is New Year's Day on January 1, when most banks will be closed.
How to check your bank's December 26 hours
The fastest way to find out whether your bank will be open on December 26 is to call the branch directly or check their website. Most banks post holiday schedules online in November or early December, usually under a "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Hours" section.
You can also use your bank's mobile app to find branch locations and hours. If you bank with a large national institution like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, or Citibank, their websites typically show holiday schedules for all branches. Credit unions often post their schedules on their main website or member portal.
If you cannot reach your branch by phone or online, you can visit in person on December 24 or 25 to ask staff about December 26 hours. Many banks also send email or text notifications about holiday closures to customers who have opted into alerts.
What banking services may be delayed on December 26
Even if your bank branch is open on December 26, some services may take longer than usual. Check deposits made on December 26 may not clear until December 27 or later, depending on when you deposit them and your bank's processing schedule.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers (automated clearing house transfers) initiated on December 26 may not process until December 27, since the Federal Reserve operates on a reduced schedule between Christmas and New Year's. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, plan ahead and initiate transfers earlier in the week.
ATM withdrawals and debit card transactions will work normally on December 26, since ATMs operate 24/7 and do not close for holidays. Online banking and mobile banking are also available as usual.
Federal holidays that do close banks
The federal holidays when banks close are: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).
When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday.
Planning financial transactions around the holiday season
If you have time-sensitive financial needs between December 25 and January 1, plan your transactions for December 24 or earlier. Wire transfers, large deposits, and loan applications all move slower during this week because federal offices operate with reduced staff.
If you need cash, withdraw it before December 25, since ATMs may run low on funds during the holiday period. If you are expecting a refund or payment that should arrive before the end of the year, initiate it by December 20 to allow time for processing delays.
For tax refunds or government payments scheduled to arrive in late December, check the delivery date on your confirmation notice. The IRS and Social Security Administration both process payments on federal holidays, but banks may not post them to your account until the next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Federal Reserve be open on December 26?
The Federal Reserve operates on federal holidays and does not close on December 26. However, the Fed runs on a reduced schedule between Christmas and New Year's, so processing times for wire transfers and other transactions may be longer than usual.
Can I use my ATM on December 26?
Yes, ATMs operate 24/7 and do not close for any holiday, including December 26. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and make deposits at ATMs on December 26 without any interruption.
What if I need to deposit a check on December 26?
If your bank is open on December 26, you can deposit a check in person or through mobile deposit. However, the check may not clear until December 27 or later, depending on your bank's processing schedule and the time of day you deposit it.
Will my direct deposit process on December 26?
Direct deposits scheduled for December 26 will process normally, since employers and payroll companies typically initiate them before the holiday. However, your bank may not post the deposit to your account until December 27 if the bank is closed on December 26.
Is December 26 a holiday in any U.S. states?
No U.S. state observes December 26 as an official holiday. Some states have their own holidays in addition to federal holidays, but December 26 is not one of them. State offices and schools will be open on December 26 in all states.