How to know whether yesterday was a holiday
Yesterday was a bank holiday only if it falls on one of the 11 federal holidays the U.S. government recognizes each year, or on a state holiday your bank observes. The easiest way to check is to look at your bank's holiday calendar on their website or call their customer service line — they will tell you immediately whether they were closed and whether transactions posted yesterday or will post today instead.
If you need to know for a specific reason — a deposit didn't clear, a payment didn't go through, a check hasn't been cashed — the answer depends on which bank you use and which state you're in. Some banks observe all 11 federal holidays. Others add state-specific holidays. A few large banks stay open on some holidays that smaller banks close for.
The 11 federal holidays are New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If yesterday was one of those dates, your bank was probably closed — but not certainly.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank's own website or customer service line is the fastest way to confirm whether they were closed yesterday.
- Banks observe the 11 federal holidays, but some also observe additional state holidays, so the answer varies by bank and location.
- If a transaction didn't post yesterday, check your bank's holiday schedule to see whether the delay is because of a closure.
- When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead — usually Friday if the holiday is on Saturday, or Monday if it is on Sunday.
Where to find your bank's holiday schedule
Every bank publishes its holiday schedule online, usually in the customer service or help section of their website. Search for "[your bank name] holiday schedule" or "[your bank name] hours" and you will find a page listing every day they close and every day they stay open.
If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service number — it is on the back of your debit card or on your account statements. They can tell you in under a minute whether they were closed yesterday and when your transaction will clear.
If you bank with a credit union, the same rule applies: their website or phone line will have their holiday schedule. Credit unions sometimes observe different holidays than banks do, so do not assume.
What happens to transactions when a bank is closed
When you deposit a check or transfer money on a bank holiday, the transaction is timestamped but does not process until the bank reopens. If yesterday was a holiday and you made a deposit, it will likely post today or tomorrow depending on the type of transaction and your bank's processing schedule.
Deposits made at ATMs on a holiday are usually processed the next business day. Deposits made through a mobile app may take one to two business days. Transfers between accounts at the same bank often post the same day the bank reopens, but transfers to other banks can take longer.
Payments you made yesterday — to a credit card, loan, or bill — follow the same rule: they are held until the bank reopens. If a payment was due yesterday and your bank was closed, most creditors will not charge a late fee as long as you can show the payment was submitted before the deadline. Contact the creditor to confirm.
When a holiday falls on a weekend
Federal holidays that land on Saturday are usually observed on Friday instead. Holidays that land on Sunday are usually observed on Monday. This means your bank may have been closed yesterday even if yesterday was not the actual holiday date.
For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, July 3. If Christmas (December 25) falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, December 26. Your bank's website will show the observed date, not the calendar date, so check there to be certain.
State holidays that affect bank closures
Some states recognize additional holidays beyond the 11 federal ones. Banks in those states often close on state holidays too, even though the federal government does not. Examples include Thanksgiving Day after Thanksgiving (the day after Thanksgiving), Robert E. Lee's Birthday in some Southern states, and Juneteenth (which is now also federal).
If you live in a state with unique holidays, your bank's schedule will reflect them. Check your bank's website to see the full list for your location. If you moved recently or switched banks, the holiday schedule may be different from what you are used to.
What to do if a transaction is delayed because of a holiday
If you made a deposit or payment yesterday and it has not posted, first check whether your bank was closed. If they were, the delay is normal and the transaction will process when they reopen.
If your bank was open and the transaction still has not posted, contact them directly. Provide the date, time, and amount of the transaction, and ask them to look it up in their system. They can tell you whether it is pending, when it will clear, or whether there is a problem that needs to be fixed.
If you made a payment that was due yesterday and your bank was closed, contact the creditor or lender as soon as possible. Explain that you submitted the payment before the deadline but the bank was closed. Most creditors will waive late fees in this situation, but you need to document it.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I deposited a check yesterday and the bank was closed, when will it clear?
Checks deposited at an ATM on a holiday usually clear the next business day. Checks deposited through a mobile app may take one to two business days. Call your bank to ask about their specific timeline — it depends on the type of check and how you deposited it.
Do all banks close on the same holidays?
All banks close on the 11 federal holidays, but some also close on state holidays. A few large banks stay open on certain federal holidays. Check your bank's specific schedule on their website or by calling them.
If a bill was due yesterday and my bank was closed, will I be charged a late fee?
Most creditors will not charge a late fee if you submitted the payment before the deadline and your bank was closed. Contact the creditor to report the delay and ask them to confirm no fee will be applied. Keep proof that you submitted the payment on time.
How do I know if my bank observes state holidays?
Your bank's holiday schedule on their website will list every day they close, including state holidays. If you do not see a state holiday listed, they do not observe it. Call them to confirm if you are unsure.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, which day is the bank closed?
If a holiday falls on Saturday, the bank closes on Friday. If it falls on Sunday, the bank closes on Monday. Your bank's website will show the observed date so you do not have to calculate it yourself.