Good Friday is not a federal holiday, so most banks stay open
Good Friday falls on the Friday before Easter and is observed by many Christian churches and some businesses as a day of religious significance. However, the U.S. federal government does not recognize it as an official federal holiday. This means banks are not required to close, and the vast majority of them remain open for regular business hours on Good Friday.
That said, some individual banks or credit unions may choose to close on Good Friday for religious or cultural reasons. This is a decision made by each institution, not a mandate. If you need to visit a bank branch or conduct business on Good Friday, your best approach is to contact your specific bank directly to confirm their hours rather than assuming they will be closed.
The federal holidays when banks must close are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Good Friday does not appear on this list.
Key Takeaways
- Good Friday is not a federal holiday, so banks have no legal requirement to close and most remain open with normal hours.
- Individual banks may choose to close on Good Friday based on their own policies or the preferences of their customers and staff.
- Contacting your bank directly is the only reliable way to know whether your branch will be open on Good Friday in any given year.
- Online banking, ATMs, and mobile apps typically function on Good Friday regardless of branch closures.
Why Good Friday is not treated like other religious holidays
The federal government designates holidays based on a specific legal framework. A holiday must be formally recognized by Congress and signed into law to become a federal holiday that applies to all federal employees and federally regulated institutions like banks. Good Friday has never received this designation, even though it is widely observed in Christian communities.
This creates a distinction between religious observance and legal status. Many Americans observe Good Friday as a day of religious importance, and some employers offer it as a paid day off. But that choice belongs to each employer or institution, not to federal law. Banks operate under federal banking regulations, which means they follow the official federal holiday calendar.
Easter itself, which falls on the Sunday after Good Friday, is also not a federal holiday. Neither day appears in the banking regulations that govern when institutions must close.
What actually closes on Good Friday
The U.S. stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) closes on Good Friday. This is one of the few major financial closures tied to the day. Stock exchanges operate under their own rules, and they have chosen to observe Good Friday as a market holiday.
Government offices and federal courts are also open on Good Friday unless a state or local jurisdiction has chosen to recognize it. Some states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, and a few others, recognize Good Friday as a state holiday, which means state government offices may close. However, this does not affect federal banks.
Schools in some districts close on Good Friday, and some private employers offer it as a paid holiday. But these are individual decisions, not legal requirements.
How to learn about your bank will be open
The most direct method is to call your bank's customer service line or visit their website. Most banks publish holiday hours in advance, usually by late March or early April. You can also check your bank's mobile app, which often displays branch hours and holiday schedules.
If you use a large national bank like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, or Citibank, you can search their websites for "holiday hours" or "Good Friday hours." Credit unions may have different policies, so check with your specific credit union if that is where you bank.
If you need to conduct banking business on Good Friday and your branch is closed, remember that most banks offer online banking, mobile deposits, ATM withdrawals, and bill pay services that work 24/7, regardless of branch hours.
Planning ahead for Good Friday banking needs
If you know you will need to visit a bank branch on or around Good Friday, plan your visit for Thursday or the following Monday instead. This removes any uncertainty about hours and ensures you can speak with a teller or banker if you need assistance.
For time-sensitive transactions—depositing a check, transferring money, or paying a bill—use your bank's online or mobile platform. These services do not depend on branch hours and will process your request regardless of whether the physical location is open.
If you are expecting a deposit or payment to arrive on Good Friday, keep in mind that processing times may be affected. Deposits made on Friday may not post until Monday, and payments sent on Friday may not be processed until the following business day. This is standard banking practice and applies to Good Friday just as it would to any other day.
State-by-state variations
A handful of states recognize Good Friday as a state holiday, which can affect state-chartered banks and state government offices. States that observe Good Friday include Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
However, even in these states, federal banks are not required to close. State-chartered banks may close if their state law requires it, but this varies by institution. If you bank in one of these states and want to know whether your branch will close on Good Friday, contact them directly—do not assume closure based on state law alone.
National banks (those chartered by the federal government) follow federal holiday rules only, regardless of state law. You can usually find out whether your bank is federally or state-chartered by looking at your checks or calling customer service.
What happens to online and mobile banking on Good Friday
Online banking platforms, mobile apps, ATMs, and automated phone systems operate continuously on Good Friday. You can deposit checks using mobile deposit, transfer money between accounts, pay bills, check balances, and withdraw cash from ATMs without any interruption.
The only potential delay occurs with processing times. A check deposited via mobile deposit on Friday may not clear until Monday, and a bill payment scheduled for Friday may not post until the next business day. This is not because the bank is closed—it is because the banking system itself does not process certain transactions on weekends.
If you need immediate access to funds on Good Friday, an ATM withdrawal is your fastest option. ATMs are available 24/7 at most banks, regardless of branch hours or holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my bank be closed on Good Friday?
Most banks remain open on Good Friday because it is not a federal holiday. However, some individual banks or credit unions may close based on their own policies. Contact your bank directly to confirm their hours for that specific day.
Can I use my ATM or mobile app on Good Friday?
Yes. ATMs and mobile banking apps work 24/7 on Good Friday, regardless of whether your branch is open. You can withdraw cash, check balances, and transfer money without any interruption.
Will my deposit or payment process on Good Friday?
Deposits and payments initiated on Good Friday may not process until Monday because the banking system does not clear certain transactions on weekends. This is standard practice and not specific to Good Friday.
Is the stock market open on Good Friday?
No. The NYSE and NASDAQ close on Good Friday. If you need to trade stocks, you will need to wait until Monday. Bond markets and futures markets also close on Good Friday.
Do federal government offices close on Good Friday?
No. Federal offices remain open on Good Friday because it is not a federal holiday. Some state and local government offices may close if their state recognizes Good Friday, but federal institutions do not.