How to learn about today is a banking holiday
The fastest way is to call your bank or check their website — they will tell you whether they are open today and which services are available. If you need to know right now, most banks post holiday schedules on their homepage or in the mobile app under "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule". You can also search "[your bank name] holiday hours" to find the page in seconds.
If you do not have a specific bank in mind and want to know which federal holidays affect U.S. banking generally, the Federal Reserve publishes a complete list each year. Banks are not required to close on every federal holiday — they choose which ones to observe — but most follow the same core set.
The U.S. federal banking holidays in 2024 are: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25). Some banks also close on the day after Thanksgiving.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank's website or mobile app shows whether they are open today and which services are running.
- Most U.S. banks close on the same federal holidays, but each bank decides which ones to observe.
- Even if your bank is closed, ATMs and online banking usually work on holidays.
- If you need cash or to make a deposit on a holiday, plan ahead by using an ATM or visiting the day before.
What stays open when your bank closes
A bank holiday does not mean all banking stops. ATMs run 24/7 regardless of whether the branch is open, so you can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. Online banking portals and mobile apps also work on holidays — you can pay bills, move money, and check transactions whenever you want.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers (the electronic transfers that take one to three business days) may process on a holiday, but they will not clear until the next business day. If you send a wire on a holiday, it sits in the queue and moves when the banking system reopens. Checks you deposit on a holiday go into the queue the same way.
Credit card payments, loan payments, and bill payments made through your bank's website or app will post on the holiday itself, even if the branch is closed. The transaction records immediately, though the money may not leave your account until the next business day depending on how the payment is set up.
When you need cash or to deposit a check on a holiday
If you need cash and your bank is closed, use an ATM. If you need to deposit a check, most banks have mobile deposit built into their app — you photograph the front and back of the check and submit it through your phone. The deposit posts immediately to your account, though the funds may not be available until the next business day.
If your bank does not offer mobile deposit or you do not have the app, you will need to wait until the branch reopens. Checks deposited in the mail or in an ATM envelope on a holiday are processed the next business day the branch is open.
Some banks allow you to schedule bill payments in advance, so if you know a holiday is coming and a payment is due, you can set it up days ahead. Check your bank's bill pay section to see if this option is available.
How banking holidays affect payroll and direct deposits
If your employer pays you by direct deposit and a holiday falls on your payday, the deposit usually arrives the day before the holiday or the day after, depending on your employer's payroll schedule. Ask your HR or payroll department when they process deposits around holidays — most shift the schedule by one day rather than delaying payment.
Government payments like Social Security, disability benefits, and tax refunds also follow this pattern. If a payment is scheduled for a holiday, it typically arrives the business day before or after. You can check the exact date in your account or by logging into the government agency's website.
State and regional banking holidays
Some states observe additional holidays that federal banks do not. For example, some banks in the South close on Confederate Memorial Day, and banks in Hawaii close on Statehood Day. These are rare and vary by location, so if you live in a state with unique holidays, check your specific bank's schedule rather than relying on the federal list.
Credit unions sometimes follow different holiday schedules than banks. If you use a credit union, check their website for their specific holiday calendar — it may not match your bank's.
Planning ahead for holidays
If you know a holiday is coming and you will need cash, withdraw it the business day before. If you need to make a deposit, use mobile deposit through your app or plan to deposit it the next business day. If you have a bill due on a holiday, pay it online a day or two early so it clears before the holiday arrives.
For recurring payments like loan payments or insurance premiums, set them up to process a day or two before the holiday. Most online bill pay systems let you choose the date, so use that to avoid any confusion about whether the payment will go through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my ATM work if the bank is closed on a holiday?
Yes. ATMs operate independently of branch hours and work 24/7, including on all holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has that feature), transfer money, and check your balance anytime.
If I deposit a check on a holiday, when will it clear?
Checks deposited on a holiday through mobile app, ATM, or mail are processed the next business day the bank is open. The deposit posts to your account right away, but the funds may take one to three business days to become available for withdrawal, depending on the check amount and your bank's policy.
Do all U.S. banks close on the same holidays?
Most banks close on the same federal holidays, but each bank decides which ones to observe. Some banks stay open on certain holidays or close on additional state holidays. Check your bank's website to see their specific schedule.
Will my direct deposit arrive if payday is a banking holiday?
Direct deposits usually arrive the business day before or after a holiday, depending on your employer's payroll schedule. Contact your HR department to confirm when they process payroll around holidays.
Can I pay my bills online on a banking holiday?
Yes. Online bill pay works on holidays. Payments you submit on a holiday post immediately, though the money may not leave your account until the next business day depending on the payment type.