Yes, most banks close on Presidents Day
Presidents Day falls on the third Monday in February. On that day, most banks in the United States close their physical branches and do not process transactions. The Federal Reserve observes it as a holiday, which means the banking system itself shuts down — no wire transfers, no check clearing, no ACH payments moving between banks.
If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on Presidents Day, you will not be able to do it at a branch. However, ATMs stay open, and online banking continues to work. Any transaction you initiate online will process the next business day, which is Tuesday.
Some credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different schedules, so if you bank at an institution outside the major national chains, check their website or call ahead to confirm.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Presidents Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Wire transfers, check deposits at the teller window, and in-person transactions do not happen on Presidents Day.
- Any online transaction you submit on Presidents Day will process on Tuesday, the next business day.
- The Federal Reserve closes on Presidents Day, which stops all interbank clearing and settlement activity.
- Credit unions and regional banks may have different holiday schedules, so confirm with your bank directly.
What you can and cannot do on Presidents Day
ATMs work around the clock on Presidents Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using the machine. Mobile banking apps and online banking portals also stay open — you can move money between accounts, pay bills online, and check transactions from home or your phone.
What stops is anything that requires the banking system itself to be running. Wire transfers do not move. Checks you deposit at an ATM or mobile app will not clear until Tuesday. Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day will arrive on Tuesday instead. Loan payments you mail in will be received and processed the day after the holiday.
If you need cash before Presidents Day, withdraw it the day before. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit or an ATM envelope the day before, and it will process on Tuesday.
How to plan ahead if you need banking services
The week before Presidents Day, check whether you have any time-sensitive transactions. If you are expecting a wire transfer, a paycheck deposit, or a payment that needs to clear by a certain date, plan for the extra day. Presidents Day is a federal holiday, so the banking system does not move on that day or the day after if that day falls on a weekend.
If you need to pay a bill by a specific date and that date falls on or just after Presidents Day, submit the payment online before the holiday. Online bill pay typically processes within one to three business days, so submitting on Friday means it will likely clear by Wednesday or Thursday of the following week.
For checks you need to deposit, use your bank's mobile deposit feature before Presidents Day. Take a photo of the front and back of the check through your banking app, and it will be processed on Tuesday. This is faster and more reliable than mailing a check or depositing it in an ATM envelope.
What happens to checks and deposits during the holiday
If you deposit a check on Presidents Day using an ATM or mobile app, it enters a queue and processes on Tuesday morning when the banking system reopens. The bank will not physically handle the check until Tuesday, so the funds will not be available until then. Most banks make mobile deposits available within one business day, so Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning is typical.
If you mail a check to a business or creditor and it arrives on Presidents Day, it sits in their mailroom until Tuesday. The business will not deposit it until Tuesday or later, so the check will not clear until Wednesday or Thursday at the earliest. If you are paying a bill by mail, send it at least five business days before the due date to account for mail time and processing delays.
Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day are held by the employer's payroll system and released to your bank on Tuesday. You will see the deposit on Tuesday, not Monday. If your paycheck normally arrives on a Monday that falls on Presidents Day, it will arrive on Tuesday instead.
Which banks stay open and which close
All national banks close on Presidents Day: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, and others. Most regional banks and credit unions also close, but some credit unions have different holiday schedules. A few online-only banks like Ally or Charles Schwab do not have physical branches, so there is nothing to close, but their customer service lines may have reduced hours.
The safest approach is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly. Most banks post their holiday schedule online, and you can search for "Presidents Day hours" plus your bank name. If you bank at a smaller institution or credit union, a quick phone call to your local branch will confirm whether they are open.
Even if a bank claims to be open on Presidents Day, the Federal Reserve is closed, which means wire transfers and interbank transactions will not process. So even if a branch is staffed, you cannot send a wire or clear a check through the federal system on that day.
How to handle time-sensitive payments around Presidents Day
If you have a payment due on or near Presidents Day, submit it online at least two business days before the due date. Online bill pay from your bank typically takes one to three business days to reach the payee, so paying on Friday for a Monday due date is risky. Pay on Thursday or earlier to be safe.
If you are paying a credit card, mortgage, or loan, check whether the lender accepts online payments. Most do, and online payments process faster than checks. Set up the payment through your bank's bill pay system or the lender's website, and it will reach them by Tuesday or Wednesday.
For payments that absolutely must arrive by a specific date, use a payment method that does not depend on the banking system — a credit card payment through the lender's website, for example, or a payment made in person at a branch before the holiday. Avoid mailing checks or relying on wire transfers during the holiday week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on Presidents Day because the transaction is processed through the card network, not the banking system directly. You can swipe or insert your card at any store or ATM. The transaction will post to your account on Tuesday if it is a purchase, or immediately if it is an ATM withdrawal.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Presidents Day?
No. Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day are delayed until Tuesday because the Federal Reserve does not process ACH transfers on federal holidays. Your employer's payroll system will release the deposit on Tuesday morning, and it will appear in your account on Tuesday or Wednesday depending on your bank.
What if I need to deposit a check on Presidents Day?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app if available. Take photos of the front and back of the check and submit them before midnight on Presidents Day. The check will process on Tuesday morning. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, use an ATM envelope or wait until Tuesday to deposit it in person.
Can I send a wire transfer on Presidents Day?
No. The Federal Reserve does not process wire transfers on Presidents Day, so any wire you initiate will not move until Tuesday. If you need to send money urgently, do it on Friday before the holiday. If you are receiving a wire, it will arrive on Tuesday instead of Monday.
Do online banks close on Presidents Day?
Online-only banks like Ally or Schwab do not have physical branches to close, but their customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be closed. Online banking and ATM access continue to work. Any transaction you submit online will process on Tuesday when the Federal Reserve reopens.