The fastest way to know if today is a bank holiday
The U.S. Federal Reserve publishes a list of bank holidays each year on its website. Go to federalreserve.gov, search for "bank holidays," and you will see the exact dates. Today's date will either appear on that list or it will not. If it does, most banks and federal offices are closed. If it does not, they are open.
You can also call your bank directly — the quickest method if you need an answer right now. Your bank's customer service line will tell you whether they are open today and what hours they keep. The Federal Reserve itself publishes a calendar showing which days the Fed is closed, which affects wire transfers and other banking operations even if your local branch is open.
The ten permanent federal bank holidays are the same every 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. Christmas is also a bank holiday. Some holidays fall on different dates depending on the year, so checking the current year's calendar is the only reliable method.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve website lists all bank holidays for the current year, and today's date either appears on that list or does not.
- Calling your bank directly is the fastest way to confirm whether they are open today and what their hours are.
- The ten permanent federal bank holidays occur on the same dates every year, but some shift to nearby Mondays or Fridays depending on which day of the week they fall.
- State and local banks may observe different holidays than federal banks, so confirmation from your specific bank matters more than a general list.
Where the Federal Reserve publishes the official holiday schedule
The Federal Reserve maintains a calendar on its public website showing every day the Fed is closed. This calendar affects wire transfers, ACH payments, and other transactions that move through the Federal Reserve system. Even if your local bank branch is open, transactions may not process on a Federal Reserve holiday.
Each Federal Reserve district also publishes its own holiday schedule. If you need to know whether a specific Fed office is closed, search for your district by name — there are twelve districts covering different regions of the country. The New York Fed, for example, publishes its schedule separately from the San Francisco Fed, though the holidays are usually the same.
How bank holidays affect your transactions today
If today is a bank holiday, your bank branch will be closed and you cannot visit in person. However, ATMs usually remain open, and online banking continues to work. Deposits made through ATMs or mobile apps may not process until the next business day.
Wire transfers, ACH payments, and checks typically do not process on bank holidays. If you send a wire transfer on a holiday, it will sit in the queue and process the next business day. The same applies to bill payments made through your bank's online system — they schedule for the following business day automatically.
Some banks offer limited services on certain holidays. Call ahead or check your bank's website to learn whether they have any branches open on today's holiday, or whether they offer phone banking or online support.
The difference between federal bank holidays and state holidays
Federal bank holidays apply to all banks across the country and to federal offices. However, some states and cities observe additional holidays that federal banks do not. For example, some states observe Robert E. Lee's birthday or Cesar Chavez Day, which are not federal bank holidays.
If you bank with a state or local bank, check whether your specific bank observes state holidays in addition to federal ones. A bank in Texas may close on a day when banks in New York remain open. Your bank's website or a phone call to customer service will clarify what holidays your branch observes.
What to do if you need banking services on a holiday
ATMs work on bank holidays, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance without visiting a branch. Mobile banking apps also remain active, allowing you to transfer money between your own accounts, check balances, and set up future transactions.
If you need to speak to someone, many banks offer phone support on holidays, though wait times are often longer. Some banks also offer chat support through their website or app. Check your bank's website before the holiday to see what services remain available.
If your transaction is time-sensitive and today is a holiday, plan for the transaction to process the next business day. Wire transfers and bill payments will not go through until then. If you need funds urgently, an ATM withdrawal is your only same-day option.
How to plan ahead for upcoming bank holidays
The Federal Reserve publishes its holiday schedule for the entire year in advance. Download or bookmark the calendar so you know which days are coming. This helps you plan bill payments, wire transfers, and other time-sensitive transactions around the holidays.
If you receive regular payments — such as payroll or benefits — and a holiday falls on a payday, your bank may deposit the funds the day before or the day after. Check with your employer or the agency sending the payment to confirm the exact timing.
Set reminders on your phone or calendar for holidays that matter to your finances. If you have a bill due on a holiday, submit the payment the business day before to avoid late fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit go through if today is a bank holiday?
Direct deposits usually process on schedule even if today is a holiday, because employers and payroll systems submit them in advance. However, the funds may not appear in your account until the next business day. Contact your employer or payroll department if you are unsure when your deposit will arrive.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit card transactions process through merchant networks that operate on holidays. You can make purchases and ATM withdrawals normally. The transaction may take longer to post to your account if the merchant's bank is closed, but the payment goes through.
What if I need to deposit a check on a bank holiday?
You can deposit checks through your bank's mobile app or ATM on a holiday. The deposit will process the next business day. If you need the funds immediately, an ATM deposit is your only option, but the money will not be available until the following day.
Do credit unions close on bank holidays?
Most credit unions observe the same federal bank holidays as banks, but some may have different schedules. Call your credit union directly to confirm whether they are open today. Credit union websites usually list their holiday hours.
How do I know if my state observes a holiday that federal banks do not?
Call your bank and ask which holidays they observe. Your bank's website may also list the full holiday schedule. If you bank with a state or local institution, they may close on days when national banks remain open.