Yes, most banks close on Veterans Day, November 11
The vast majority of U.S. banks shut down on Veterans Day and do not process transactions that day. This includes all major national banks, most regional banks, and credit unions. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or handle banking business, you will need to do it before November 10 or after November 12.
Veterans Day is a federal holiday, which means banks observe it the same way they observe Independence Day or Thanksgiving. The holiday falls on November 11 every year, though if November 11 lands on a Sunday, some banks may close on Monday, November 12 instead. Check your specific bank's holiday schedule to be certain.
ATMs and online banking stay open during the holiday — you can still transfer money between your own accounts, check your balance, and move funds electronically. The closure only affects in-person services and the processing of deposits or withdrawals that require a teller.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close their physical locations on Veterans Day, November 11, and do not process deposits or withdrawals that day.
- ATMs remain available 24/7, and you can use online banking to transfer money or pay bills during the holiday.
- If November 11 falls on a Sunday, some banks close on Monday instead — verify your bank's specific holiday schedule.
- Checks deposited on Veterans Day will not be processed until the next business day, so plan ahead if you need the funds quickly.
- Wire transfers and ACH payments initiated on Veterans Day may not process until November 12 or later, depending on your bank.
What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day
You cannot walk into a bank branch and speak to a teller on Veterans Day. Deposits, withdrawals, loan applications, and account changes that require staff will all wait until the next business day. If you need cash before the holiday, withdraw it on November 10.
You can use your debit card at any merchant or ATM to withdraw cash or make purchases. You can log into your online banking portal and transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills to other people or businesses, or check your account balance. Mobile banking apps work the same way — the bank's computer systems run continuously, but the staff does not come in.
Wire transfers and ACH payments (the electronic transfers that move money between banks) initiated on Veterans Day will not begin processing until November 12. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, initiate the transfer on November 10 instead.
How check deposits work around Veterans Day
If you deposit a check on November 10, it will process normally and the funds will be available according to your bank's standard hold policy — usually one to three business days. If you deposit a check on Veterans Day itself (through an ATM, mobile app, or mail), the bank will not process it until November 12, which delays the availability of those funds by at least one extra day.
Remote deposit capture — the feature that lets you photograph a check through your phone and submit it electronically — works on Veterans Day, but the bank will not process the image until the next business day. The timestamp on your submission does not speed up processing.
If you mail a check to the bank, the postmark date matters, not the date the bank receives it. A check mailed on November 10 and arriving on November 12 will be processed on November 12, the same as a check deposited in person that day.
When Veterans Day falls on a weekend
Veterans Day is always November 11. When November 11 lands on a Saturday, most banks close on Saturday, November 11, and reopen normally on Monday, November 13. When November 11 lands on a Sunday, federal policy allows banks to observe the holiday on Monday, November 12 instead, so many banks close on Monday and reopen on Tuesday.
However, not all banks follow the same rule. Some close on both the weekend day and the observed day. Call your bank or check their website to confirm which day they will be closed. The difference matters if you need to handle banking business on Monday or Tuesday of that week.
Planning ahead for Veterans Day transactions
If you have a check to deposit, do it by November 10. If you need to withdraw cash, do it before the holiday. If you need to wire money or send an ACH payment, initiate it on November 10 so it processes on November 11 or 12 rather than waiting until November 13.
If you have a bill due on or shortly after Veterans Day, pay it online through your bank's bill pay feature or through the biller's website before November 11. Do not rely on a check mailed on November 11 to arrive on time — the post office also observes the holiday and mail delivery may be delayed.
If you need to speak to someone at your bank about an account issue, call on November 10 or wait until November 12. Customer service phone lines are typically closed on the holiday itself, though some large banks maintain a limited phone line for emergencies.
What happens if you need cash on Veterans Day
Use an ATM. Every bank maintains ATMs that work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts at any ATM that bears your bank's logo or is part of your bank's network.
If your bank charges a fee for out-of-network ATM use, you will pay that fee if you use an ATM from a different bank. Plan ahead and withdraw from your own bank's ATM on November 10 if you want to avoid the fee.
If you need a large amount of cash and your daily ATM withdrawal limit is lower, withdraw what you can on November 10 and the rest on November 12. Most banks set daily limits between $300 and $1,000, though you can call ahead and ask them to raise your limit temporarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit arrive on Veterans Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for November 11 will arrive on that day — the ACH system processes them automatically. However, if your employer's payroll system is closed on Veterans Day, they may have initiated your deposit on November 10 instead, which means it could arrive a day earlier. Contact your employer's payroll department if you are unsure when they process payroll around the holiday.
Can I pay my credit card bill on Veterans Day?
Yes, through your credit card company's website or mobile app. The payment will be recorded as received on November 11. If your payment is due on November 11 and you pay online, you will not be late. However, if you mail a check, it will not arrive until after the holiday, so pay online instead.
What if I need to open a new account on Veterans Day?
You cannot open an account in person on Veterans Day because the branch is closed. Some banks allow you to open an account online through their website, which you can do on the holiday. Call your bank to ask whether online account opening is available, or wait until November 12 to open an account in person.
Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?
Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, just like banks. However, some smaller credit unions may have different holiday schedules. Check your credit union's website or call their main line to confirm whether they will be open on November 11.
Will my online bill payments process on Veterans Day?
Payments you schedule through your bank's bill pay system will process on the date you choose, even if that date is Veterans Day. However, if you schedule a payment for November 11 and the receiving company is also closed, they will not receive and process it until November 12. Plan ahead and schedule payments for November 10 if the due date is November 11.