Check the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar or call your bank directly
The fastest way to know if today is a bank holiday is to call your bank's customer service line or check their website — they will tell you immediately whether branches are closed and whether transactions are processing. The Federal Reserve publishes an official list of holidays when banks close and the payment system slows down, but not all banks observe every federal holiday, and some observe additional state or regional holidays.
If you need to deposit a check, transfer money, or handle time-sensitive transactions, do not assume your bank is open just because it is not a major federal holiday. Regional banks, credit unions, and online-only banks sometimes follow different schedules than the Federal Reserve's main closure dates.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve closes on ten federal holidays each year, which slows the payment system even if your individual bank stays open.
- Your bank may be open on a federal holiday but still not process transactions until the next business day.
- Calling your bank's customer service line is the most reliable way to confirm whether your specific branch is open today.
- Checks deposited on a holiday typically do not clear until the next business day after the bank reopens, regardless of when you deposit them.
The Federal Reserve's official holiday closures
The Federal Reserve closes on these ten days each year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving. When the Fed closes, the payment system that moves money between banks slows down or stops, which means transfers and check clearing take longer even if your individual bank branch is open.
If a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, the Fed observes it on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, the Fed observes it on Monday. This matters because a Monday closure affects the entire week's payment processing.
Your bank may be open but not processing transactions
Many banks stay open on federal holidays, especially branches in shopping centers or banks that operate on Sunday. However, an open branch does not mean transactions will process today. Deposits, transfers, and payments submitted on a federal holiday typically sit in a queue until the next business day after the Fed reopens.
If you deposit a check on a holiday, the bank may accept it, but the check will not clear until the next business day. Wire transfers and ACH payments submitted on a holiday will not leave your account until the next business day either. This delay applies even if your bank branch is physically open and you hand the deposit to a teller.
How to learn about your specific bank is open today
Call your bank's main customer service number — it is usually on the back of your debit card or on their website. A representative can tell you whether your branch is open, whether transactions are processing, and how long deposits will take to clear. This takes two minutes and removes all guesswork.
You can also check your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks post holiday hours prominently during the week before a holiday. If you use an online-only bank, check their website for a notice about whether transactions are processing — many online banks process transactions on federal holidays even though the Fed is closed, but the transactions settle the next business day.
What happens to deposits and transfers on a holiday
A check you deposit on a holiday will be time-stamped with today's date, but it will not actually clear until the next business day after the bank reopens. The same applies to ACH transfers (payments from one bank account to another) and bill payments sent through your bank's bill pay system. The transaction is recorded, but the money does not move until the Fed reopens.
Wire transfers have a different timeline. Some banks accept wire transfer requests on holidays, but the wire will not send until the next business day. Other banks will not accept wire requests on a holiday at all. Call your bank to ask whether they accept wire requests on today's holiday.
State and regional bank holidays
Some states observe additional holidays beyond the ten federal holidays. For example, some banks in the South close on Confederate Memorial Day, and some banks in Hawaii close on additional state holidays. Credit unions sometimes follow different schedules than banks. If you use a regional bank or credit union, ask them directly whether they observe any holidays beyond the federal list.
If you are sending money to someone at a different bank or in a different state, both banks' holiday schedules matter. A transfer might process at your bank but get delayed at the receiving bank if that bank is closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs operate on holidays even when branches are closed. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance. However, a check deposited in an ATM on a holiday will not clear until the next business day after the bank reopens, just like a check deposited at a teller window.
Will my direct deposit arrive on a bank holiday?
Direct deposits scheduled for a holiday usually arrive on the next business day instead. If your employer or government agency sends your paycheck or benefit payment on a holiday, the deposit will be delayed by one day. Check with your employer or the paying agency if you are unsure when your deposit will arrive.
What if I need to send money urgently on a holiday?
Call your bank and ask whether they accept wire transfers on today's holiday. Some banks do accept them, but the wire will not actually send until the next business day. If the receiving bank is also closed, the money may not arrive until the day after that. For truly urgent transfers, ask your bank whether they offer any expedited options.
Do online banks close on federal holidays?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. However, they still cannot process transactions through the Federal Reserve's payment system when the Fed is closed. Deposits and transfers submitted on a holiday will process the next business day, just like at a traditional bank.