Banks close on federal holidays set by Congress, not on state holidays or religious observances
A bank holiday is a day when most banks shut their doors and do not process transactions. The Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury set these days—they are the same across the country, regardless of which state you live in. Banks close on these days because the federal government is closed, which means the banking system itself cannot move money between institutions or clear checks.
The list does not change year to year. Congress established ten permanent federal holidays, and banks observe all of them. A few holidays fall on different dates depending on the year (like Thanksgiving), but the day banks close is always announced well in advance.
State holidays, religious holidays, and local observances do not close banks. If your state observes a holiday that the federal government does not, your bank will be open. If a religious holiday falls on a weekday, your bank will be open unless it is also a federal holiday.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close on the ten federal holidays set by Congress: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day.
- When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday; when it falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday.
- State holidays, local holidays, and religious holidays do not close banks, even if your state or community observes them.
- You can still use ATMs and online banking on bank holidays, but deposits, wire transfers, and checks will not clear until the next business day.
- The Federal Reserve publishes the holiday schedule each year on its website so you can plan ahead.
The ten federal holidays when banks close
Congress has designated ten permanent federal holidays. Banks close on all of them:
| Holiday | Typical Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. | Third Monday in January |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents Day) | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | 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 |
Juneteenth was added to the list in 2021. Before that, only nine holidays closed banks. The dates for some holidays shift year to year because they are tied to a specific day of the week (like "the third Monday in January"), but the Federal Reserve publishes the exact dates each year so you know in advance.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend
If a federal holiday lands on a Saturday, banks close on the Friday before. If it lands on a Sunday, banks close on the Monday after. This rule keeps the bank holiday on a weekday when it matters—when the banking system would otherwise be processing transactions.
For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, July 3. If New Year's Day (January 1) falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, January 2. The Federal Reserve's published schedule shows you the actual closure date for each year, so you do not have to calculate it yourself.
State and local holidays do not close banks
Some states observe holidays that the federal government does not. Examples include Confederate Memorial Day (observed in some Southern states), Cesar Chavez Day (California), and Evacuation Day (Massachusetts). Banks do not close on these days, even if your state government does.
The same applies to local holidays. If your city observes a holiday, your bank will be open. If a religious holiday is important to your community, your bank will be open unless it is also a federal holiday.
If you need to conduct banking business on a state or local holiday, you can visit your bank in person (if it is open), use an ATM, or use online banking. Check with your specific bank to confirm its hours, because some branches may have different schedules.
What you can and cannot do on a bank holiday
Banks are closed on federal holidays, but that does not mean you have no access to your money. ATMs work 24/7, including on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using an ATM.
Online banking also works on bank holidays. You can log in, view your accounts, and set up transactions. However, any transaction you initiate on a bank holiday will not process until the next business day. A deposit you make on a holiday will not clear until the day after the bank reopens. A wire transfer you send will not leave your account until the next business day.
Checks deposited on a bank holiday will not be processed until the next business day. If you need a check to clear quickly, deposit it before the holiday, not on it. Some banks offer mobile check deposit, which works on holidays, but the check still will not clear until the next business day.
How to plan around bank holidays
The Federal Reserve publishes its holiday schedule on its website each year. You can find the exact dates banks will be closed and plan accordingly. If you need to make a time-sensitive transaction—like a wire transfer for a down payment or a bill payment—do it before the holiday, not on it.
If you are waiting for a deposit to clear (like a paycheck or a refund), remember that it will not clear on a bank holiday. If a holiday falls between when you deposit something and when you need the money, add an extra day to your timeline. A check deposited on a Thursday before a Friday holiday will not clear until Monday.
If you bank with a credit union instead of a traditional bank, check whether it observes the same federal holidays. Most do, but some credit unions have different schedules. Your credit union's website will list its holiday closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my bank be open on Presidents Day?
No. Presidents Day is the common name for Washington's Birthday, which is a federal holiday. Banks close on the third Monday in February. If you need to conduct banking business that day, use an ATM or online banking, but any transactions will not process until Tuesday.
Does my bank close on Christmas?
Christmas is not a federal holiday in the sense that Congress did not designate it as one of the ten permanent bank holidays. However, most banks close on Christmas Day (December 25) anyway as a matter of practice. Check with your bank to confirm its Christmas schedule, as some may have different hours.
If a holiday falls on Sunday, do banks close on Monday?
Yes. When a federal holiday falls on a Sunday, banks close on the following Monday. The Federal Reserve's published schedule shows the actual closure date, so you do not have to figure it out yourself.
Can I deposit a check on a bank holiday using my phone?
Yes, most banks offer mobile check deposit on bank holidays. However, the check will not clear until the next business day. If you need the money immediately, mobile deposit will not help you.
What if my bank is open on a federal holiday?
Some banks, especially smaller ones or branches in certain areas, may stay open on federal holidays. Call your bank or check its website to confirm its holiday hours. Even if your branch is open, the Federal Reserve is closed, so certain transactions like wire transfers may not process until the next business day.