The fastest way to know if tomorrow is a bank holiday
The Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar is the source that matters. Go to federalreserve.gov, find the calendar section, and look for tomorrow's date. If it shows a holiday, banks will be closed and you won't be able to do in-person banking, wire transfers, or same-day ACH transactions.
The nine federal banking holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If tomorrow falls on one of these dates, your bank is closed. If tomorrow is a Friday and the holiday was Thursday, or a Monday and the holiday was Sunday, the bank observes it on the day it falls — so you still can't bank.
Some banks also observe additional holidays beyond the federal nine. Check your own bank's website or call the number on the back of your card to confirm their specific closure schedule, because a few regional banks add holidays like Veterans Day or the day after Thanksgiving.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve publishes the official federal banking holiday calendar at federalreserve.gov, which shows closures for the current and upcoming years.
- The nine federal banking holidays are New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks observe it on the nearest weekday — usually Friday if the holiday is Sunday, or Monday if the holiday is Saturday.
- Some banks observe additional holidays beyond the federal nine, so checking your specific bank's calendar is the only way to be certain.
Where to find your bank's holiday schedule
Your bank publishes its own holiday calendar on its website. Search "[your bank name] holiday hours" or "[your bank name] closed holidays" and you'll land on a page that lists every day the branch will be closed for the year. Most banks update this in December for the coming year.
If you can't find it online, call the customer service number on the back of your debit or credit card. A representative can tell you whether tomorrow is a holiday for your bank and when the branch reopens. This takes two minutes and removes all doubt.
What you can and cannot do on a banking holiday
On a federal banking holiday, you cannot walk into a branch and speak to a teller, deposit a check in person, or withdraw cash from the teller window. ATMs stay open, so you can withdraw money or check your balance. Online banking works normally — you can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and check transactions.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers (like direct deposit or bill pay to another bank) do not process on banking holidays. If you initiate a wire on a holiday, it will sit in queue and process the next business day. Same-day ACH transfers also wait until the next business day. If you need money to move urgently, do it before the holiday closes.
Banking holidays and your paycheck or refund
If your paycheck or tax refund is scheduled to arrive on a banking holiday, it will arrive the next business day instead. Direct deposit batches process overnight, and if the receiving bank is closed, the deposit queues and lands in your account when the bank reopens. You will see the money, but it may be a day late.
If a refund or payment was supposed to arrive on a Friday and Monday is a holiday, expect it Tuesday. The same rule applies to government payments like Social Security, unemployment benefits, or stimulus checks — they all follow the banking holiday calendar.
Planning around bank holidays for time-sensitive transactions
If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or handle something that requires a teller, do it the business day before the holiday. Don't wait until the day of or the day before if you're cutting it close.
For bill payments and transfers between banks, initiate them at least one business day before the holiday. If you pay a bill on a holiday, it won't process until the next day, which could push you past a due date. If a due date falls on a holiday, most creditors extend the deadline to the next business day, but don't rely on that — pay early.
State holidays and bank closures
State holidays do not close federal banks. If your state observes a holiday that is not on the federal list — like Cesar Chavez Day in California or Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C. — banks stay open. However, state government offices close, and some state-chartered banks may close on state holidays even if federal banks do not.
If you bank at a state-chartered bank or a credit union, check whether they observe state holidays in addition to federal ones. The distinction matters if you're in a state with unique holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my ATM on a bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), and check your balance. The only thing you cannot do is speak to a teller or handle transactions that require a person.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, is the bank closed on Friday?
No. Banks observe the holiday on the day it falls. If a federal holiday is on Saturday, the bank is open Friday and closed Saturday. If the holiday is on Sunday, the bank is closed Monday. Check your bank's calendar to confirm, because a few banks observe it on Friday if the holiday is Sunday.
Will my direct deposit be late if it's scheduled for a bank holiday?
Yes, usually by one day. Direct deposits process overnight, and if the receiving bank is closed, the deposit queues until the bank reopens. You'll see the money the next business day. If the holiday is Monday, expect the deposit Tuesday.
Do credit unions follow the same holiday schedule as banks?
Most do, but not all. Federal credit unions follow the Federal Reserve calendar. Some state-chartered credit unions may observe additional holidays. Call your credit union or check their website to confirm their specific schedule.
What if I need to wire money on a bank holiday?
Wire transfers do not process on bank holidays. If you initiate a wire on a holiday, it will process the next business day. If you need money to move urgently, send it the business day before the holiday.