Most banks are closed on Memorial Day, but some branches and services stay open
Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May each year. On that day, most brick-and-mortar bank branches close because it is a federal holiday. However, the picture is more complicated than a simple yes or no — some banks keep limited locations open, and digital banking continues to work around the clock.
If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone in person on Memorial Day, call your bank the day before to confirm whether your specific branch will be open. Some larger banks operate a handful of branches in major cities even on federal holidays, but this varies by bank and location.
Key Takeaways
- Most bank branches close on Memorial Day, but ATMs and online banking work 24/7 regardless of the holiday.
- Some large banks keep a few branches open in major cities on Memorial Day, so contact your bank directly to learn about yours is one of them.
- Checks and transfers you submit on Memorial Day will not process until the next business day, Tuesday.
- If you need cash or a service that requires a teller, plan ahead and visit your branch on Friday or Monday morning before the holiday.
Which banks stay open and which close completely
The major national banks — Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — close their branch locations on Memorial Day. Credit unions also close on this federal holiday. However, some banks operate a small number of branches in major metropolitan areas that remain open with reduced hours.
Your best move is to call your branch directly or check your bank's website the day before Memorial Day. Most banks publish holiday hours online, and a quick phone call takes 30 seconds. If your branch is closed, the bank's phone line will usually tell you the location of the nearest open branch, if one exists in your area.
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and others have no physical branches, so the holiday does not affect their operations at all. If you bank primarily online, Memorial Day changes nothing about your access to your money.
ATMs work on Memorial Day even when branches close
Every bank's ATM network continues to operate on Memorial Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using the ATM at any time, holiday or not. The ATM does not close because the branch is closed.
However, if you need to deposit cash or checks into an ATM on Memorial Day, be aware that the deposit will not process until the next business day. The bank will not credit your account until Tuesday morning. This matters if you are counting on same-day availability of the funds.
Online and mobile banking continues without interruption
Your bank's website and mobile app work exactly the same on Memorial Day as they do on any other day. You can check balances, transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and send money to other people using your phone or computer. These services run 24/7 and do not close for holidays.
The catch is that transactions you initiate on Memorial Day may not settle until Tuesday. A transfer you send on Monday will usually show as pending until the next business day. This is not a delay caused by the holiday — it is how banking processing works — but it is worth knowing if you are trying to move money urgently.
When deposits and checks will actually process
Any check you deposit on Memorial Day, whether at an ATM or through mobile deposit, will not clear until Tuesday at the earliest. The bank does not process deposits on federal holidays, so the clock does not start until the next business day.
If you are depositing a check on Friday before the long weekend, it will process normally on Friday. If you deposit on Monday (Memorial Day), it sits in the queue until Tuesday. This matters most if you need the money to be available by a certain date — plan accordingly and deposit before the holiday if timing is tight.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers you send on Memorial Day will also not process until Tuesday. If you need money to move on a specific day, send it on Friday or wait until Tuesday.
Planning ahead to avoid Memorial Day banking problems
The simplest approach is to handle any banking you need before Memorial Day. Visit your branch on Friday to withdraw cash, deposit checks, or speak to a banker about account changes. This avoids any uncertainty about whether your branch is open on Monday.
If you know you will need cash over the long weekend, withdraw it on Friday. If you have checks to deposit, deposit them before the holiday. If you need to make a transfer that must settle by a certain date, send it on Friday instead of Monday.
For anything that can wait, simply handle it on Tuesday when all branches are back to normal hours. Most banking tasks are not truly urgent, and waiting one day costs you nothing.
What to do if you have an emergency on Memorial Day
If you have a genuine banking emergency on Memorial Day — a fraudulent charge, a lost card, or a compromised account — call your bank's customer service line. Most banks staff their phone lines 24/7 for fraud and security issues, even on holidays. The number is usually on the back of your card or on your bank's website.
For non-emergency issues that can wait, use your bank's website or app to send a message to customer service. Your message will be answered on Tuesday during normal business hours. Banks typically respond to online messages within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Memorial Day?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant, ATM, or online store on Memorial Day just like any other day. The holiday does not affect card transactions. Purchases will post to your account normally, though the exact timing depends on the merchant and your bank.
Will my direct deposit go through on Memorial Day?
No. If your employer normally deposits your paycheck on Memorial Day, it will be delayed until Tuesday. Most employers deposit on Fridays or other weekdays specifically to avoid federal holidays. Check with your payroll department if you are unsure when your deposit is scheduled.
Can I pay my credit card bill on Memorial Day?
Yes, through your bank's website or app. However, if you are close to a payment deadline, be aware that the payment may not post until Tuesday. If your due date is Memorial Day itself, contact your credit card company before the holiday to confirm whether they will accept a payment submitted on Monday.
What if I need to speak to a banker on Memorial Day?
Call your bank's main customer service line. If your branch is closed, the automated system will direct you to the nearest open location or offer to connect you with a phone banker who can help with many issues without requiring a branch visit.
Do online banks close on Memorial Day?
No. Banks that operate only online, with no physical branches, do not close on any holiday. You can access your account and conduct transactions 24/7, including on Memorial Day.