Most Fridays are regular business days for banks
Friday is not automatically a banking holiday. Banks are open on most Fridays during normal business hours. However, when a federal holiday falls on a Friday, or when a holiday observed on Friday is recognized by the Federal Reserve, banks will close that day.
The key is knowing which specific Friday you're asking about. A Friday in the middle of the month is almost certainly a banking day. A Friday immediately after Thanksgiving, or the Friday before Christmas, may or may not be a banking holiday depending on what day the actual holiday falls on and how the Federal Reserve has scheduled the observance.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close on federal holidays, but only when the holiday is officially observed — not on every Friday.
- When a federal holiday falls on a Friday, banks close that day; when it falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday.
- The Federal Reserve publishes its annual holiday schedule each year, showing exactly which days banks will be closed.
- State and local banks may observe different holidays than national banks, so checking with your specific bank is the only way to be certain.
- If you need to deposit checks or access funds on a day you think might be a holiday, call your bank first or check their website.
Federal holidays that commonly fall on Friday
Several federal holidays can fall on a Friday depending on the year. New Year's Day (January 1), Independence Day (July 4), and Christmas Day (December 25) fall on different days of the week each year. When any of these lands on a Friday, banks close that day.
Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, which means the day after — often called the day after Thanksgiving — falls on a Friday. However, the day after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday itself. Banks remain open unless your specific bank has chosen to observe it as a holiday, which some do.
Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Labor Day (first Monday in September), and Thanksgiving itself never fall on Friday because they are fixed to specific days of the week. Presidents' Day, Veterans Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day can fall on Friday if the calendar aligns that way.
How the Federal Reserve determines which Fridays are banking holidays
The Federal Reserve publishes an official holiday schedule each year that tells banks which days to close. When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, the Federal Reserve typically observes it on the preceding Friday. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday.
This is why you might see banks closed on a Friday even though the actual holiday date is Saturday. For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, the Federal Reserve observes the holiday on Friday, July 3, and banks close that day instead.
The Federal Reserve's holiday schedule is published on its official website and covers the full calendar year. This schedule applies to the Federal Reserve itself and to most national banks. State-chartered banks and credit unions may follow different rules.
State and local banks may have different holiday schedules
Not all banks follow the Federal Reserve's schedule exactly. State-chartered banks, community banks, and credit unions can set their own holiday schedules within certain limits. Some states recognize additional holidays that the federal government does not, and banks in those states may close on those days.
For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, which is not a federal holiday. Banks in those states may close on that day even though national banks remain open. Similarly, some states recognize Juneteenth or other state-specific holidays.
The only way to know whether your bank will be open on a specific Friday is to check directly with them. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card, visit your bank's website, or stop by a branch and ask. Most banks post their holiday schedule online or will tell you over the phone.
How to find your bank's holiday schedule
Most banks publish their holiday schedule on their website, usually under a section labeled "Hours" or "Holiday Hours." Search for "[Your Bank Name] holiday schedule" to find it quickly. The schedule typically covers the full year and shows which days the bank will be closed.
If you cannot find the schedule online, call your bank's main customer service line. They can tell you immediately whether a specific Friday is a banking holiday for your account. If you use multiple banks or credit unions, check each one separately — they may not all close on the same days.
The Federal Reserve's official holiday schedule is available on federalreserve.gov under "Banking Information." This shows the days the Federal Reserve itself is closed, which affects wire transfers and other services that run through the Fed, even if your local bank branch is open.
What happens if you need to deposit or withdraw money on a Friday holiday
If a Friday is a banking holiday and you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, you have several options. Most banks allow deposits through ATMs and mobile apps even when branches are closed. You can photograph a check with your bank's mobile app and deposit it without visiting a branch.
ATMs are available 24/7 at most banks, so you can withdraw cash on a holiday. However, if you need to speak to someone or handle a transaction that requires a teller, you will have to wait until the bank reopens on the next business day.
If you are expecting a wire transfer or a payment that typically arrives on a Friday that turns out to be a banking holiday, the transfer will likely process on the next business day instead. Check with your bank about their specific timeline for holiday transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my bank be open this Friday?
Call your bank or check their website to confirm. Most Fridays are regular business days, but if a federal holiday falls on Friday or your bank observes a state holiday that day, they will be closed. Your bank's customer service line can tell you in seconds.
If a holiday falls on Saturday, is the bank closed on Friday instead?
Usually yes. The Federal Reserve observes holidays that fall on Saturday on the preceding Friday, so most banks close Friday instead. However, some banks may handle this differently, so confirm with your specific bank rather than assuming.
Are credit unions closed on the same days as banks?
Not always. Credit unions set their own holiday schedules and may close on different days than banks. Check your credit union's website or call them directly to find out which Fridays they will be closed.
Can I use my debit card or ATM on a banking holiday Friday?
Yes. ATMs work 24/7 on holidays, and you can use your debit card at other businesses. However, transactions that require your bank to process them may not go through until the next business day.
What if I need to deposit a check on a Friday that's a banking holiday?
Use your bank's mobile app to photograph and deposit the check, or deposit it at an ATM if your bank offers that service. The check will be processed when the bank reopens on the next business day.