Yes, Christmas Day is a federal bank holiday in the United States
Christmas Day—December 25th—is an official federal holiday. Banks close on this day, the stock market does not trade, and most federal offices shut down. If December 25th falls on a weekend, the federal government observes the holiday on the nearest weekday instead: Friday if Christmas is on Saturday, or Monday if Christmas is on Sunday.
This matters most if you need to deposit checks, withdraw cash, or conduct business that requires a bank to be open. Many people plan ahead because a closed bank can delay transactions by a day or more, especially around the holiday period when mail is also slower.
Key Takeaways
- Banks, credit unions, and the stock market all close on December 25th, and the federal government observes the holiday on the nearest weekday if Christmas falls on a weekend.
- Most ATMs remain open on Christmas Day even when the bank building is closed, so you can withdraw cash or check your balance.
- Online banking and bill payments work normally on Christmas Day—the closure only affects in-person services and teller transactions.
- If you need to deposit a check or handle a time-sensitive transaction, plan to do it before December 24th or wait until December 26th.
- Some employers and businesses stay open on Christmas Day even though banks do not, so confirm with your specific bank or credit union about their holiday schedule.
Which banks and financial institutions close on Christmas Day
All federally chartered banks must close on Christmas Day. This includes national banks, most credit unions, and savings institutions. State-chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System also close. If your bank is FDIC-insured or part of the Federal Reserve network, it will be closed on December 25th.
Credit unions follow the same rule. Whether your credit union is federally chartered or state-chartered, it observes Christmas Day as a holiday and closes its physical locations. Some larger credit unions may have different policies, so calling ahead is the safest approach if you have a time-sensitive need.
The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ both close on Christmas Day. Bond markets and futures markets also close. This means you cannot trade stocks, buy bonds, or execute most investment transactions on December 25th.
What services stay available on Christmas Day
ATMs and online banking do not stop working because the bank building is closed. You can withdraw cash from an ATM, transfer money between your own accounts, and check your balance on Christmas Day using your bank's website or mobile app. Debit cards work normally at stores and other merchants.
Bill payments you schedule online before Christmas Day will process on their scheduled date, even if that date is December 25th. However, if you try to set up a new bill payment on Christmas Day itself, the bank's online system may not process it until the next business day. Automatic payments and recurring transfers continue as scheduled.
Wire transfers are more complicated. Most banks do not process outgoing wire transfers on Christmas Day, even if you request them online. If you need to send money urgently, do it before December 24th. Incoming wire transfers may also be delayed if they arrive on Christmas Day.
When the federal government observes Christmas if it falls on a weekend
If December 25th is a Saturday, the federal government observes Christmas on Friday, December 24th. Banks close on Friday instead of Saturday. If December 25th is a Sunday, the federal government observes Christmas on Monday, December 26th, and banks close on Monday.
This matters because some people assume banks will be open on the actual date of Christmas if it falls on a weekend. They will not. The closure moves to the nearest weekday, and that is when your bank will be shut. Check your bank's holiday schedule in early December to confirm the exact date if Christmas falls on a weekend that year.
How to plan transactions around the Christmas bank holiday
If you need to deposit a check, do it before December 24th. Checks deposited on or after Christmas Day will not be processed until the next business day the bank is open. If December 26th is also a weekend, the deposit will not process until Monday or Tuesday.
If you need cash, withdraw it before Christmas or use an ATM on Christmas Day itself. Most ATMs are available 24/7 even when the bank is closed, though some bank-owned ATMs in the branch building may not be accessible if the building is locked.
If you have a time-sensitive payment or transfer, schedule it for December 23rd or earlier. Do not wait until December 24th, because some banks process transactions on a delay and you risk missing a deadline. For wire transfers, the safest window is December 22nd or earlier.
What happens if you need banking services on Christmas Day
If you have an emergency and need cash, ATMs are your only option at most banks. Some credit unions and online banks have customer service phone lines open on holidays, but they cannot process transactions—they can only answer questions or help with account issues that do not require the bank to be open.
If you need to dispute a transaction or report fraud on Christmas Day, call your bank's customer service line. Most banks have a 24/7 fraud line even on holidays. They will not be able to reverse a transaction immediately, but they will document your report and begin an investigation.
If your debit card is lost or stolen on Christmas Day, call the bank's customer service number on the back of your card. They can freeze the card immediately to prevent unauthorized use, even though the branch is closed.
Other holidays that close banks the same way
Christmas Day follows the same closure rules as New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Day. All federal holidays close banks and the stock market. Some banks also close on Good Friday and Christmas Eve, though these are not federal holidays—check your bank's specific schedule.
Presidents' Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day also close banks. If you work with a bank that observes state holidays in addition to federal ones, there may be extra closure days depending on which state the bank is located in. A few states observe holidays that others do not, so confirm with your bank if you are unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Christmas Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit cards work at stores, ATMs, and online merchants on Christmas Day regardless of whether the bank building is open. You can make purchases and withdraw cash normally. The bank closure only affects services that require a teller or bank employee.
Will my direct deposit go through on Christmas Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for Christmas Day may be delayed by one day if the bank is closed. Employers typically submit payroll the day before, so if Christmas is on a Tuesday, your deposit might arrive on Wednesday instead. Check with your employer about their payroll schedule around the holiday.
What if I need to deposit a check on Christmas Day?
You cannot deposit a check at a teller or ATM on Christmas Day if the bank is closed. Mobile check deposit through your bank's app may work, but the check will not be processed until the next business day. Plan to deposit checks before December 24th if you need them cleared quickly.
Do online banks close on Christmas Day?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so there is no "closing" in the traditional sense. However, online banks still observe Christmas Day as a federal holiday. Customer service may be limited, and some transactions like wire transfers may not process until December 26th.
Can I pay my bills on Christmas Day?
You can schedule bill payments online on Christmas Day, and they will process on their scheduled date. However, if you try to make a same-day payment on Christmas Day itself, it may not go through until December 26th. Pay bills before December 24th if the due date is close.