The quickest way to find out

The Federal Reserve publishes the official list of bank holidays each year on its website. Go to federalreserve.gov, search for "bank holidays" or "holiday schedule", and you'll see the full calendar. The list shows which days banks close and when the stock market shuts down. If today's date or any day this week appears on that list, there was a bank holiday.

Your own bank may also close on state holidays that are not federal bank holidays. Check your bank's website or call their customer service line — they post holiday closures on their homepage, usually under "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule". Some banks stay open on federal holidays but close on state-specific days like Juneteenth observances or regional holidays.

If you're looking back at a week that already passed, the Federal Reserve archive shows which holidays actually occurred. This matters if a payment didn't go through when you expected it, or if you're trying to figure out why a transfer took longer than usual.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Reserve website lists all federal bank holidays for the current and upcoming years.
  • Your specific bank may close on additional state holidays beyond the federal list, so check your bank's own schedule.
  • Bank holidays affect when transfers clear, when checks deposit, and when customer service is available — not always the same day across all banks.
  • If a transaction was delayed this week, a bank holiday on Monday or Friday often explains why.

Federal bank holidays that affect banking

Not every federal holiday closes banks. The ones that do are: 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 holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead. If Christmas falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday. If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday. The Federal Reserve announces the observed date each year, so a holiday you remember from last year might be observed on a different day this year.

Why bank holidays matter for your money

On a bank holiday, most banks don't process transfers, deposits, or withdrawals. If you sent a wire transfer on a Friday before a Monday holiday, it won't clear until Tuesday. Checks deposited on a holiday won't post to your account until the next business day. ACH transfers (the system used for direct deposits and bill payments) also pause on bank holidays.

Some online banks and payment apps process transactions 24/7, but the underlying banking system still stops. Your money may move within the app, but it won't actually leave or enter the banking network until the holiday ends. This is why a payment you made on a holiday might show as "pending" for longer than usual.

State holidays that close banks in specific places

Beyond the federal list, individual states observe their own holidays, and banks in those states often close. Texas banks close on Texas Independence Day (March 2). Some Southern states close on Confederate Memorial Day. Alaska closes on Seward's Day. If you bank in a state with a unique holiday, your bank will close even though it's a regular business day everywhere else.

Regional banks are more likely to close for state holidays than national chains, but even large banks sometimes honor state-specific days in the states where they operate. If you're trying to figure out why your bank was closed this week and it wasn't a federal holiday, check your state's holiday calendar or call your bank directly.

How to plan around bank holidays

If you need money to clear by a specific date, send it at least two business days before that date, not counting any bank holidays in between. If you're sending money on a Thursday before a three-day weekend (Friday is not a holiday, but Monday is), the transfer won't clear until Wednesday. If you need the money Friday, you've missed the window.

Set a phone reminder for major holidays if you regularly send time-sensitive payments. Mark your calendar with your bank's holiday schedule at the start of the year — most banks email this or post it in January. If you use bill pay through your bank, set up recurring payments a few days early so they process before holidays, not during them.

What to do if a transaction was delayed by a holiday

If money didn't arrive when you expected and a bank holiday occurred during that time, the delay is normal and not an error. Wait until the next business day after the holiday to contact your bank. Most delays resolve automatically once the banking system reopens.

If money still hasn't arrived two business days after the holiday ended, contact your bank with the transaction details: the date you sent it, the amount, and the recipient's account information. Banks can trace the transfer and tell you where it's stuck. Keep any confirmation numbers or receipts from when you sent the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ATMs work on bank holidays?

Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on bank holidays, so you can withdraw cash and check your balance. Deposits made at an ATM on a holiday will post the next business day, not immediately.

If a holiday falls on Saturday, do banks close on Friday or Monday?

Usually Friday. The Federal Reserve observes the holiday on the nearest weekday before the actual date. Check the Federal Reserve's current holiday schedule to confirm — the observed date can vary by year.

Will my direct deposit arrive on a bank holiday?

No. Direct deposits process on business days only. If your payday falls on a bank holiday, the deposit typically arrives the next business day. Check with your employer or payroll provider for their specific policy.

Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?

Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on bank holidays. The transaction may show as pending until the next business day, but you can still make the purchase.

How do I know if my bank closes on state holidays?

Call your bank's main line or check their website under "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule". Many banks post their full holiday closure list online, or you can ask a representative directly.