President's Day is a federal holiday, but most banks stay open
President's Day falls on the third Monday in February. It is a federal holiday, which means the federal government offices close and federal employees get the day off. However, most banks remain open on President's Day, even though it is a federal holiday. This is the key difference that catches people off guard.
The reason banks stay open is that banking hours are not tied to federal holidays the way post offices or government offices are. Banks set their own holiday schedules, and they choose to operate on President's Day in most cases. Your bank may be open with regular hours, reduced hours, or closed — it depends entirely on that bank's policy.
If you need to do banking on President's Day, call your branch or check your bank's website before that day. Do not assume it will be closed just because it is a federal holiday.
Key Takeaways
- President's Day is a federal holiday, but most banks stay open with regular or reduced hours.
- Individual banks decide their own holiday schedules, so you must check with your specific bank to know whether it will be open.
- ATMs and online banking work on President's Day regardless of whether your branch is open.
- If you are waiting for a deposit or transfer, the timing may shift depending on whether your bank processes transactions that day.
How President's Day affects bank deposits and transfers
If you are expecting a deposit on or around President's Day, the timing depends on when your bank processes transactions. Most banks do not process new deposits on federal holidays, even if the branch itself is open. A deposit that would normally post on Monday may not post until Tuesday if Monday is President's Day.
ACH transfers (the electronic transfers between bank accounts) also pause on federal holidays. If you send an ACH transfer on Friday before President's Day, it may not arrive until Wednesday. The same applies to wire transfers — they do not move on federal holidays.
Tax refunds, stimulus payments, and other government deposits follow federal processing schedules. If the government is scheduled to send your money on President's Day, it will arrive the next business day instead. Check the expected deposit date on your refund status tracker or payment notification to see whether it falls on or after President's Day.
What stays open and what closes on President's Day
Federal offices close on President's Day. This includes the IRS, Social Security Administration, and all other federal agencies. If you need to call the IRS about a refund or reach Social Security, you will not reach a live person on President's Day. Online services usually remain available.
Post offices close on President's Day. If you are mailing a check or document that has a deadline, mail it before President's Day or account for the extra day.
Stock markets close on President's Day. If you trade stocks or monitor investment accounts, no trading happens that day. The market reopens the next day.
Most retail banks stay open, but credit unions vary. Some credit unions close on all federal holidays; others stay open. Call ahead if you bank at a credit union.
How to check whether your bank is open on President's Day
The fastest way is to search "[Your Bank Name] President's Day hours" or visit your bank's website directly. Most banks post their holiday schedule online in December or January. Look for a link labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Locator."
You can also call your branch directly and ask. Have your branch number or address ready. Ask whether the branch will be open and what hours it will keep.
If your bank is closed on President's Day, you can still use the ATM to withdraw cash or make deposits (though deposits may not post until the next business day). Online banking and mobile apps work normally.
What to do if you need banking services on President's Day
If your branch is closed but you need cash, use an ATM. Most banks keep ATMs running on all holidays. You can withdraw money, deposit checks (though they will not post until the next business day), and transfer money between your own accounts.
If you need to speak to someone, call your bank's customer service line. Many banks keep phone support open on federal holidays, even if branches are closed. The number is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website.
If you are waiting for a time-sensitive deposit or transfer, do not wait until President's Day to send it. Send it on Friday or earlier in the week so it arrives before the holiday.
President's Day and tax refunds
The IRS does not process refunds on President's Day. If your refund is scheduled to arrive on President's Day, it will arrive on Tuesday instead. You can check the exact date on the IRS website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool.
If you filed your taxes and are waiting for a refund, the IRS processing timeline does not change because of President's Day — the day simply shifts. A refund that would normally take 21 days will take 21 business days, which means President's Day adds one extra calendar day to your wait.
Stimulus payments and other government payments follow the same rule. The payment date listed on your notification is a business day, so if it falls on President's Day, the money arrives the next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit post on President's Day?
Most direct deposits from employers do not post on federal holidays. If your paycheck is scheduled for President's Day, it will post on Tuesday instead. Check with your employer's payroll department if you are unsure about the exact timing.
Can I use my debit card on President's Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and stores on President's Day regardless of whether your bank branch is open. Transactions may take longer to post if your bank does not process them that day, but the card itself works normally.
Do credit unions close on President's Day?
Some do and some do not. Credit unions set their own schedules. Call your credit union or check its website to find out whether it will be open on President's Day.
Will my tax refund arrive faster if I file before President's Day?
No. The IRS processing timeline is measured in business days, not calendar days. Filing before President's Day does not speed up your refund. The holiday simply adds one day to the calendar, not to the processing time.
What if I need to pay a bill on President's Day?
Pay online or through your bank's bill pay service. These work on all days, including federal holidays. If you are mailing a check, send it before President's Day so it arrives on time.