Most banks are closed on Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a federal holiday, and nearly all banks in the United States close on that day. This includes major national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank, as well as most regional and community banks. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or visit a branch in person, you will not be able to do so on Thanksgiving.
The closure applies to physical bank branches. However, you can still use ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps to check your balance, transfer money between accounts, or set up payments on Thanksgiving Day itself. Any transactions you make through these digital channels will process, though they may not post to your account until the next business day.
Some banks may have limited hours on the day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday) or the day after (Friday). Check with your specific bank to confirm their schedule, as hours vary by location and institution.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Thanksgiving Day because it is a federal holiday, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Transactions made through ATMs or mobile apps on Thanksgiving will process, though posting to your account may be delayed until Friday.
- The Wednesday before Thanksgiving often has normal hours, but some banks close early or have reduced hours on that day.
- If you need cash or in-person service, plan ahead and visit your bank on Wednesday or wait until Friday morning.
What you can and cannot do on Thanksgiving
You can withdraw cash from any ATM owned by your bank or part of your bank's ATM network on Thanksgiving Day. You can also log into your online banking portal or mobile app to check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, or send money to other people through services like Zelle or your bank's transfer system. These actions happen immediately or within a few hours, depending on the service.
You cannot visit a branch to speak with a teller, deposit a check in person, open a new account, or apply for a loan on Thanksgiving. If you need to deposit a check, you can use a mobile deposit feature (available through most banks' apps) to photograph and submit the check remotely. Mobile deposits typically post within one business day.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on Thanksgiving may not process until the next business day, even though you can request them through your online banking system. If you need money to move urgently, initiate the transfer on Wednesday instead.
Planning ahead for the Thanksgiving week
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically a normal business day, though some banks close early or reduce their hours. Call your branch or check your bank's website to confirm Wednesday hours in your area. This is the best day to handle any in-person banking you need before the holiday.
Friday after Thanksgiving is a regular business day for most banks, though some institutions observe a delayed opening or reduced hours. If you can wait until Friday morning, you will have full access to all banking services. However, if you need cash or need to deposit a check before then, Wednesday is your only option.
If you use a smaller credit union or community bank, confirm their holiday schedule directly. Some credit unions have different holiday observances than national banks, and a few may have limited hours on Friday as well.
What to do if you need cash on Thanksgiving
Withdraw cash from an ATM on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This is the simplest solution and requires no planning beyond a quick trip to your bank or any ATM in your bank's network. If your bank is part of a large network (like Allpoint or MoneyPass), you may have access to thousands of ATMs nationwide.
If you do not have enough cash and cannot reach an ATM on Wednesday, you can use your debit card to make purchases at stores, restaurants, and other businesses on Thanksgiving Day. Many people use this approach instead of withdrawing large amounts of cash in advance.
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving and need cash in a different city, locate an ATM in your destination before you leave home. Search your bank's website or use an ATM locator app to find machines near where you will be staying.
Depositing checks during the Thanksgiving holiday
If you receive a check on or around Thanksgiving, use mobile deposit through your bank's app instead of waiting for a branch to reopen. Take a photo of the front and back of the check, submit it through the app, and the deposit will post within one business day. This works on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Some banks also have deposit envelopes and slots at their branch entrances where you can deposit checks 24/7, even when the branch is closed. The check will be processed when the branch reopens on Friday. Ask your bank whether this option is available at your branch.
If you do not have mobile deposit set up and cannot use a deposit slot, wait until Friday morning to deposit the check in person. A one-day delay rarely causes problems unless the check has a specific deadline.
Holiday schedules for other financial institutions
Credit unions typically close on Thanksgiving, though some have different holiday schedules than banks. Check your credit union's website or call ahead to confirm. If your credit union is part of a shared branching network, you may be able to conduct limited transactions at other credit unions on Friday.
Online-only banks (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover) do not have physical branches, so there are no branch closures to worry about. You can access your account and conduct transactions through their apps and websites on Thanksgiving Day, just as you would any other day. Customer service phone lines may be closed, but you can still manage your account independently.
Brokerage firms and investment accounts also close on Thanksgiving. You cannot buy or sell stocks or mutual funds on that day, and market orders placed on Thanksgiving will not execute until Friday morning when the market opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Thanksgiving if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at stores, restaurants, gas stations, and other merchants on Thanksgiving Day, even though your bank branch is closed. You can also withdraw cash from any ATM. The only thing you cannot do is visit a branch in person or speak with a teller.
Will a check I deposit on Thanksgiving post the same day?
No. If you use mobile deposit on Thanksgiving, the check will post on Friday. If you deposit a check in a branch deposit slot on Thanksgiving, it will post on Friday as well. Thanksgiving is not a business day for check processing.
What if I need to wire money on Thanksgiving?
You can request a wire transfer through your online banking system on Thanksgiving, but it will not process until Friday morning. If the money is urgent, initiate the transfer on Wednesday instead. Some banks allow same-day wires if requested before a certain time on business days.
Are ATMs open on Thanksgiving?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7, including on Thanksgiving Day. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts at any ATM, whether it belongs to your bank or is part of an ATM network your bank participates in.
Do online banks close on Thanksgiving?
Online-only banks do not have physical branches, so there is nothing to close. You can log into your account and manage your money on Thanksgiving Day through their website or app. Customer service phone lines may not be staffed, but your account remains fully accessible.