Most banks close on Columbus Day, but some stay open
Yes, most major U.S. banks close on Columbus Day (the second Monday in October). This is a federal holiday, and the Federal Reserve does not process payments that day. However, not every bank follows the same schedule — some regional banks, credit unions, and online banks stay open or offer limited service.
The closure affects wire transfers, ACH payments, and check processing. If you need to move money on Columbus Day, you will not see it process until the next business day. ATMs and mobile apps usually work normally, but teller service and customer support lines will be closed.
The safest approach is to check your specific bank's holiday schedule before Columbus Day arrives. Most banks post this information on their website or in their mobile app under "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule".
Key Takeaways
- Major national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) close on Columbus Day, but ATMs remain available.
- Wire transfers and ACH payments initiated on Columbus Day will not process until Tuesday, so plan ahead if you need money to arrive by a specific date.
- Credit unions and online banks have different policies — some close, some stay open — so you must check your institution directly.
- If you need cash, withdraw it before Columbus Day or use an ATM, which operates even when the bank is closed.
Which banks actually close on Columbus Day
The Federal Reserve closes on Columbus Day, which means the national banking system does not process transfers that day. All banks that are members of the Federal Reserve system — which includes virtually every major bank in the country — must follow this closure.
Banks that definitely close on Columbus Day include Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank, PNC, and TD Bank. If you bank with one of these, assume your local branch is closed and teller service is unavailable.
Smaller regional banks and credit unions vary. Some close, some stay open with reduced hours, and some operate normally. Call your bank directly or check their website to confirm. Do not assume your credit union follows the same schedule as a national bank.
What still works when your bank is closed
ATMs operate 24/7 regardless of whether the bank is closed. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), and check your balance on Columbus Day without any problem.
Mobile banking apps and online portals stay available. You can view your account, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up future-dated transactions. However, any transfer you initiate on Columbus Day will not actually move until Tuesday.
Debit card purchases work normally. Restaurants, stores, and gas stations will process your card on Columbus Day just as they do any other day. The closure only affects the bank's internal operations and the Federal Reserve's payment system.
What does not process on Columbus Day
Wire transfers initiated on Columbus Day will not leave your account until Tuesday. If someone is waiting for money to arrive by Columbus Day, it will be late. The same applies to outgoing wires — they sit in queue until the Federal Reserve reopens.
ACH transfers (the system most employers use for direct deposit and most people use to move money between banks) do not process on Columbus Day. If you initiate an ACH transfer on Monday, it will not complete until Wednesday at the earliest.
Check deposits made at a teller window or through mobile deposit will not clear until Tuesday. Checks deposited on Columbus Day are timestamped for the next business day.
Customer service lines are closed. If you have a question about your account or need to dispute a transaction, you will have to wait until Tuesday to reach someone by phone.
How to plan ahead for Columbus Day
If you need to send money and it must arrive by Columbus Day, initiate the transfer on Friday or earlier. Wire transfers usually take one business day, so a Friday wire should land in the recipient's account by Monday morning — before the Federal Reserve closes.
If you need cash on Columbus Day, withdraw it before the holiday. ATMs work, but if you need a large amount or need to speak to someone at the bank, you must go before Monday.
If you are expecting a payment (paycheck, refund, insurance payment) and it normally arrives on Columbus Day, check with the sender about the timing. Many employers and government agencies automatically delay direct deposits to the next business day when a holiday falls on payday.
Mark your calendar for the second Monday in October each year. Columbus Day is always on the same date, so you can plan around it annually.
What to do if you need money on Columbus Day
Use an ATM to withdraw cash before you need it. This is the simplest solution and works at any time, even when the bank is closed.
If you need to transfer money between accounts you own, use your mobile app or online banking to set up a transfer for Tuesday. It will process automatically when the Federal Reserve reopens.
If you need to send money to someone else and it is urgent, ask whether they can wait until Tuesday. If they cannot, a wire transfer initiated on Friday will arrive by Monday morning.
If you have a banking emergency (lost card, fraudulent charge, account locked), call your bank's customer service line before Columbus Day. Most banks have a phone number for after-hours emergencies, though response times may be slower on a holiday.
Online banks and credit unions on Columbus Day
Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Marcus by Goldman Sachs often stay open on Columbus Day because they do not have physical branches. However, the Federal Reserve closure still affects them — transfers will not process until Tuesday.
Credit unions follow different rules depending on their size and charter. Some close on all federal holidays, some close only on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's), and some stay open. Contact your credit union directly to confirm their Columbus Day hours.
If your credit union is closed but you need to move money, use their ATM or mobile app. Like traditional banks, credit unions' electronic systems usually work even when branches are closed, but transfers will not complete until the Federal Reserve reopens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit arrive on Columbus Day?
If your employer normally deposits on the second Monday of October, they may delay it to Tuesday to account for the Federal Reserve closure. Check with your payroll department or look at your pay stub history — if you were paid on the day after Columbus Day in previous years, expect the same this year.
Can I deposit a check on Columbus Day using my mobile app?
Yes, you can photograph and deposit a check through mobile banking on Columbus Day. However, the check will not clear until Tuesday. The bank timestamps it for the next business day, so funds will not be available until then.
What if I need to pay a bill on Columbus Day?
If you pay online through your bank's bill pay system, schedule the payment for Tuesday. If you use a third-party payment app like Venmo or PayPal, those services usually operate normally on holidays, though the underlying bank transfer may be delayed.
Do I need to do anything special to prepare for Columbus Day?
If you need cash or plan to send money, handle it before Monday. Otherwise, ATMs and online banking work normally, so most people do not need to prepare. Just remember that any transfer you initiate on Columbus Day will not process until Tuesday.
Is Columbus Day a holiday at all banks?
Columbus Day is a federal holiday, so all Federal Reserve member banks close. However, some small regional banks and credit unions may stay open. Call your bank to confirm, or check their website for holiday hours.