How to learn about today is a bank holiday

The fastest way is to call your bank or check their website — they will tell you whether they are open today. Banks do not all observe the same holidays, and some stay open on federal holidays while others close. If you need to know right now, your bank's customer service line or mobile app will give you the answer for your specific branch.

If you want to know whether today is a federal holiday (the kind that closes government offices), the U.S. Office of Personnel Management publishes the official list. Federal holidays in 2024 are: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If today matches one of those dates, it is a federal holiday.

Banks are not required to close on federal holidays. Many stay open on days like Columbus Day or Veterans Day. The holidays most banks actually close for are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Some banks also close on Good Friday, which is not a federal holiday.

Key Takeaways

  • Your bank's website or app will show you whether your specific branch is open today, since banks do not all follow the same holiday schedule.
  • Federal holidays and bank holidays are not the same — the government recognizes eleven federal holidays, but banks choose which ones to observe.
  • The six holidays most banks close for are New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
  • If you need to deposit a check or transfer money today, calling your bank first takes thirty seconds and saves a wasted trip.

Which holidays most banks actually close for

The six holidays when the vast majority of U.S. banks close are New Year's Day (January 1), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25). If today is one of those dates, your bank is almost certainly closed.

Banks sometimes close on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), even though it is not a federal holiday. Some regional banks also close on state holidays that are not federal holidays — for example, some banks in the South close on Confederate Memorial Day. Check your bank's holiday schedule on their website to see whether they observe holidays beyond the standard six.

Federal holidays that banks usually stay open for

The federal holidays that most banks do not close for are Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (third Monday in January), Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February, also called Presidents' Day), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), and Juneteenth (June 19). On these days, government offices close but banks typically remain open for normal business hours.

This varies by bank and by region. A few banks do close on Veterans Day or Juneteenth, so if you are unsure about your specific bank, check their website or call the branch. The safest approach is to assume your bank is open unless you know otherwise, but verify before you make the trip if you need to do something that requires a teller or in-person service.

How to check your bank's holiday schedule

Most banks publish their holiday schedule on their website. Log in to your online banking portal or visit the main website and search for "holiday hours" or "bank holidays." You can also call your branch directly — the phone line will usually tell you whether they are open before you speak to anyone. Mobile banking apps often show branch hours and holiday closures under the "Locations" or "Find a Branch" section.

If you bank with a large national bank like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, or Citibank, their website will show you the same holiday schedule for all branches. If you bank with a credit union or regional bank, holiday schedules can vary by location, so check the specific branch where you plan to go.

What happens if you need to deposit or transfer money on a bank holiday

If your bank is closed today but you need to move money, you have several options. ATMs work on bank holidays, so you can withdraw cash or deposit checks at an ATM if your bank has one. Many banks allow mobile check deposits through their app — you photograph the check and submit it, and it posts to your account within one or two business days.

Online transfers between accounts at the same bank usually process immediately or by the next business day, regardless of whether the bank is closed. If you need to send money to someone else's account, you can set up a wire transfer or ACH transfer online, though it will not clear until the next business day. If you absolutely need cash today and your bank is closed, a nearby ATM is your fastest option.

How bank holidays affect payment processing and deposits

Deposits made on a bank holiday or after hours do not clear until the next business day. If you deposit a check at an ATM on a holiday, it will not be available in your account until the day after the bank reopens. Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on a holiday will not process until the next business day either.

This matters if you are counting on money arriving by a specific date. If you need funds to clear by tomorrow and tomorrow is a bank holiday, you will not be able to deposit or transfer money today and have it available tomorrow. Plan ahead by depositing or transferring the day before a holiday if timing is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all banks close on the same holidays?

No. Banks choose which holidays to observe. Most close on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but some also close on Good Friday or state-specific holidays. Check your bank's website to see their full schedule.

Will my ATM work if the bank is closed today?

Yes. ATMs operate twenty-four hours a day, even when the bank branch is closed. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance on a bank holiday. Deposits made at an ATM will not clear until the next business day.

Can I still use my debit card if the bank is closed?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM regardless of whether your bank branch is open. The transaction will process normally, though it may not show in your account until the next business day if the bank is closed.

What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on a holiday?

Most banks have customer service phone lines open on holidays, even if branches are closed. Call the number on the back of your debit card or check your bank's website for holiday hours. Some banks also offer chat support through their app or website.

Does a bank holiday delay my paycheck deposit?

If your paycheck is set to deposit on a bank holiday, it will usually arrive the next business day instead. Direct deposits scheduled for a holiday typically process the following business day. Check with your employer if you are unsure when your paycheck will arrive.