Most banks close on Columbus Day, but some stay open
Yes, most major banks close on Columbus Day (the second Monday in October). The Federal Reserve, which sets the standard for federal holidays, treats Columbus Day as a banking holiday. That means Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most regional and national banks shut their branches and do not process transactions that day.
However, not every bank follows this rule. Some credit unions, online-only banks, and smaller regional institutions stay open on Columbus Day. A few states—including Hawaii, Alaska, South Dakota, and Vermont—do not observe Columbus Day at all, so banks in those places may operate normally. Your specific bank's schedule depends on where it is chartered and what holiday policy it follows.
ATMs and online banking work on Columbus Day regardless of whether branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills online without interruption. The closure only affects in-person services like deposits, withdrawals at the teller window, loan applications, and speaking to a banker.
Key Takeaways
- Most national and regional banks close their branches on Columbus Day, the second Monday in October, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Credit unions and online-only banks may stay open on Columbus Day, so check your bank's specific holiday schedule before you need a service.
- Banks in Hawaii, Alaska, South Dakota, and Vermont may not observe Columbus Day, meaning some branches in those states stay open.
- Any deposits you make at an ATM on Columbus Day will post to your account the next business day, not immediately.
How to find your bank's Columbus Day hours
The easiest way is to call your bank's main customer service line or visit their website. Most banks publish their holiday schedule online under "Hours" or "Locations." Search for your specific branch—hours can vary between locations in the same city.
If you use a national bank, you can also look up your branch on their app or website and see the hours listed for that day. Many banks now show "Closed" directly on the branch locator if they will not be open on Columbus Day. Credit unions typically post their holiday schedule on their homepage or in their member portal.
Do not assume your bank follows the federal holiday schedule. Call ahead if you need to do something in person on or around Columbus Day, especially if you bank at a smaller institution or credit union.
What you can and cannot do on Columbus Day
You can use ATMs to withdraw cash, deposit checks (though they will not clear until the next business day), check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. Online banking platforms work normally. You can pay bills, send money to other people through your bank's app, and access your account information anytime.
You cannot visit a branch to speak to a teller, deposit cash over the counter, apply for a loan, open a new account, or resolve disputes with a banker in person. Wire transfers initiated through online banking may process, but some banks hold wire requests made on holidays until the next business day. If you need to wire money urgently, do it before Columbus Day.
Checks you write will still be valid on Columbus Day, but they will not clear until the next business day when the bank reopens. Automatic bill payments and direct deposits scheduled for Columbus Day will process normally because they do not require the bank to be open.
When deposits posted on Columbus Day will show up
Any deposit you make at an ATM on Columbus Day—whether a check or cash—will not post to your account until the next business day (Tuesday, if Columbus Day falls on Monday). The ATM accepts the deposit, but the bank does not process it until staff return.
Mobile check deposits made through your bank's app on Columbus Day follow the same rule: they are timestamped when you submit them, but the bank does not process them until the next business day. This matters if you are counting on the money being available immediately.
Direct deposits and automatic transfers scheduled for Columbus Day will go through on that day because they are processed by the Federal Reserve's automated systems, which run on holidays. Your paycheck or scheduled transfer will land in your account as normal.
States and banks that do not observe Columbus Day
Hawaii, Alaska, South Dakota, and Vermont do not observe Columbus Day as a state holiday. In Hawaii and Alaska, banks observe "Aloha Day" and "Alaska Day" instead on different dates. In South Dakota and Vermont, Columbus Day is not a paid holiday for state employees, and banks in those states may stay open.
Some Native American-owned banks and credit unions do not observe Columbus Day for cultural reasons and stay open instead. A small number of online-only banks do not close for any federal holidays because they have no physical branches to close.
If you bank in one of these states or with an institution that does not observe the holiday, your branch may be open on Columbus Day. Check your bank's specific schedule rather than assuming it will be closed.
Planning around Columbus Day closures
If you need cash or need to make a deposit, do it on Friday before Columbus Day. ATMs will work on the holiday itself, but branch deposits will not process until Tuesday. If you need to wire money, initiate it before the holiday ends on Sunday.
If you are expecting a check to clear or a payment to post, remember that Columbus Day delays processing by one day. A check deposited on Friday will clear on Tuesday instead of Monday. A bill payment scheduled for Columbus Day will process on that day, but if you need to cancel or change it, you will have to wait until Tuesday to reach a banker.
For loan applications, account openings, or disputes that need a banker's attention, schedule those for the day after Columbus Day. Calling on the holiday itself will not reach anyone who can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit come through on Columbus Day?
Yes. Direct deposits process through the Federal Reserve's automated system, which runs on all holidays including Columbus Day. Your paycheck will land in your account on the scheduled day, even if your bank's branches are closed.
Can I use my debit card on Columbus Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on Columbus Day regardless of whether your bank's branches are closed. The only thing you cannot do is visit a branch in person or speak to a teller.
What if I need to deposit a check on Columbus Day?
Use your bank's mobile app to deposit it, or use an ATM if your bank offers mobile check deposit through ATMs. The check will not process until the next business day, but it will be timestamped on Columbus Day. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, wait until Tuesday to deposit it at a branch.
Do credit unions close on Columbus Day?
Most credit unions close on Columbus Day, but some stay open. Check your credit union's website or call ahead to confirm. Online-only credit unions typically stay open because they have no physical branches to close.
Will wire transfers go through on Columbus Day?
Wire transfers initiated through online banking on Columbus Day may process the same day, but some banks hold them until the next business day. If you need a wire to go through urgently, send it before the holiday. Call your bank to ask about their specific policy.