Good Friday is not a federal bank holiday, so most banks and government offices stay open
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is not a federal bank holiday in the United States. Banks operate on their normal schedule. The federal government does not close its offices. The stock market runs as usual. If you need to conduct banking business on Good Friday, you can do so the same way you would on any other Friday.
Some individual banks or credit unions may choose to close on Good Friday for religious reasons, but this is a business decision, not a legal requirement. The same applies to some private employers. Before assuming your bank is closed, check directly with your branch or look at their holiday schedule online.
Key Takeaways
- Good Friday is not a federal bank holiday, so federal banks and government offices operate normally.
- Some private banks and credit unions may close on Good Friday by choice, so contact your branch to confirm.
- The stock market is open on Good Friday unless it falls on a day the market is already closed for another reason.
- Easter Monday is also not a federal bank holiday in the United States, though it is in some other countries.
Which federal holidays actually close banks
The federal bank holidays that require banks to close are set by the Federal Reserve and apply to all federally chartered banks. These are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Good Friday does not appear on this list. Easter itself is also not a federal holiday. The federal government recognizes these days as religious observances, but they do not trigger the closures that come with official bank holidays.
State and local variations
A few states treat Good Friday differently. In some parts of North Carolina and Tennessee, state offices may close or observe reduced hours on Good Friday, but this does not affect federal banking. If you work for a state agency or do business with a state office in these areas, check your local government's holiday calendar.
Private businesses, including some banks, have the right to close on any day they choose. Some credit unions with strong religious ties may close on Good Friday. Some employers give their staff the day off. These are individual choices, not legal requirements across the banking system.
How to check if your specific bank is open
The safest approach is to contact your bank directly. Call the customer service number on the back of your card, visit your branch's website, or stop by in person the day before Good Friday to ask about their schedule. Most banks post their holiday hours online or in their mobile app.
If you need to make a transaction on Good Friday and your bank is closed, you can use ATMs, mobile banking, or online banking to handle most routine tasks. Transfers between accounts, bill payments, and balance checks work 24/7. Transactions that require a teller or loan officer will have to wait until the bank reopens.
The stock market on Good Friday
The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ close on Good Friday every year. This is one of the few days the markets shut down that is not a federal holiday. The closure is a longstanding tradition in the financial industry, not a legal requirement. If you trade stocks or have investments, you cannot buy or sell on Good Friday.
Good Friday closures do not affect your ability to check account balances or place orders that will execute when the market reopens on Monday. If you use a brokerage app, you can still log in and view your holdings.
Planning around Good Friday
If you need to handle banking business around Easter, plan ahead. Good Friday itself may be a day when some banks close, so conduct time-sensitive transactions on Thursday or the following Monday. If you need a loan approval, wire transfer, or other service that requires a teller, do not wait until Good Friday to start the process.
The Monday after Easter is a regular business day at all federal banks and government offices. If your bank closes on Good Friday, it will reopen Monday morning with normal hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 regardless of whether the bank branch is open. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks using the ATM on Good Friday, even if the branch itself is closed.
Will my direct deposit process on Good Friday?
Direct deposits scheduled for Good Friday will usually process, though the timing may vary depending on your employer and bank. The federal banking system processes ACH transfers even on non-business days. If you are concerned about timing, contact your employer's payroll department.
Is Easter Monday a bank holiday?
No. Easter Monday is not a federal bank holiday in the United States. Banks and government offices are open. Some other countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, observe Easter Monday as a public holiday, but the U.S. does not.
What if I need to wire money on Good Friday?
If your bank is closed on Good Friday, you cannot initiate a wire transfer in person. However, many banks allow you to set up wire transfers through online banking or their mobile app, and the transfer will process when the banking system reopens. Call your bank to confirm whether this option is available to you.
Do credit unions close on Good Friday?
Some do, some do not. Credit unions are not required to close on Good Friday, but individual credit unions may choose to. Check your credit union's website or call ahead to confirm their Good Friday hours.