Check the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar or your bank's website

The fastest way to know if today is a bank holiday is to look at your bank's website or call their customer service line. Most banks post their holiday schedule on the homepage or in the FAQ section. You can also check the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar, which lists all days when U.S. banks close for federal holidays.

If you need to know right now, search "[your bank name] holiday hours" or "[your bank name] closed today" in a search engine. Your bank's hours page will show whether branches are open and whether online services are running normally. Some banks stay open on certain holidays while others close, so checking your specific bank matters.

The U.S. Federal Reserve publishes its holiday schedule each year on its website. This schedule applies to all member banks and most financial institutions that process payments through the Federal Reserve system. However, some banks and credit unions observe different holidays or close on additional days, so your bank's own calendar is the most reliable source.

Key Takeaways

  • Your bank's website or customer service line will tell you immediately whether it is closed today.
  • The Federal Reserve publishes an official holiday calendar that applies to most U.S. banks, but individual banks may have different schedules.
  • Bank closures affect branch access and some payment processing, but online banking and ATM withdrawals usually work on holidays.
  • If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on a holiday, plan ahead by using an ATM or mobile deposit the day before.

What stays open and what closes on bank holidays

When a bank is closed on a holiday, branches do not open and tellers are not available. However, ATMs remain active, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance. Mobile banking apps and online banking platforms also stay open, meaning you can transfer money, pay bills, or check transactions from your phone or computer.

Wire transfers and ACH payments (automatic transfers between accounts) may be delayed if you send them on a holiday. The payment will process, but it may not reach the receiving bank until the next business day. Check deposits made through mobile apps or ATMs on a holiday typically post the next business day, not immediately.

If you need to speak to a person at your bank on a holiday, you will have to wait until the next business day. Some banks offer phone support on certain holidays, but this is rare. Credit unions often have different holiday schedules than banks, so if you use a credit union, check its specific calendar.

The federal holidays when most banks close

Banks close on these 10 federal holidays every year: 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 Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday. If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday. Your bank's calendar will show which day it observes the holiday.

Some banks also close on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), though this is not a federal holiday. A few banks close on the day after Thanksgiving or on Christmas Eve if it falls on a weekday. Check your bank's specific holiday schedule to know for certain.

How to plan ahead if you need banking services on a holiday

If you know a holiday is coming and you need cash, visit an ATM or your bank branch the day before. Withdraw what you need so you are not caught without cash on the holiday itself. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit through your bank's app the night before, or deposit it at an ATM if your bank offers that service.

If you need to send money to someone, do it at least one business day before the holiday. Wire transfers and ACH payments sent on a holiday will not process until the next business day, which could delay the payment by two days if the holiday is on a Friday. Plan accordingly if the money is time-sensitive.

For bills due on or around a holiday, pay them early through your bank's bill pay service or the biller's website. Do not wait until the holiday itself, because payment processing will be delayed. Set up automatic payments for recurring bills so you do not have to remember to pay them around holidays.

What to do if your bank is unexpectedly closed

If you arrive at your bank and it is closed but you did not know it was a holiday, use the ATM if you need cash. Most ATMs work 24/7 and do not close for holidays. If you need to speak to someone, call the bank's customer service number, which may have limited holiday hours or a recorded message directing you to online services.

If you made a deposit at an ATM on a holiday, it will post to your account on the next business day. If you need the money sooner, you will have to wait. Check your bank's mobile app to see if the deposit has been recorded, even if it has not cleared yet.

If you have an urgent banking need that cannot wait, some banks operate a holiday customer service line. Call your bank's main number and listen for a holiday option, or search online for "[your bank name] holiday customer service." Credit unions sometimes have different holiday schedules, so if you have accounts at multiple institutions, check each one separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?

Yes. Your debit card works at ATMs and stores on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash from any ATM and make purchases anywhere that accepts cards. Only branch services and teller access are unavailable when the bank is closed.

Will my direct deposit come through on a bank holiday?

Direct deposits scheduled for a bank holiday will post on the next business day instead. If your paycheck is supposed to arrive on a Friday that is a holiday, it will arrive on Monday. Check with your employer or payroll department if you are unsure which day your deposit will process.

What if I need to cash a check on a holiday?

You cannot cash a check at a closed bank branch on a holiday. Use mobile deposit through your bank's app instead, and the check will post the next business day. If you need cash immediately, withdraw it from an ATM using your debit card.

Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?

Most credit unions close on federal holidays, but some observe different schedules or additional holidays. Check your credit union's website or call to confirm which days it is closed. A few credit unions stay open on certain federal holidays when banks close.

How do I know if my bank is closed tomorrow?

Search "[your bank name] hours" or visit your bank's website and look for the holiday schedule or hours page. You can also call the main customer service number and ask, or check the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar to see if a federal holiday is coming.