Most banks close on Presidents Day, but your money stays accessible
Yes, most banks in the United States close on Presidents Day, which falls on the third Monday of February. The Federal Reserve, which sets the official holiday schedule for the banking system, designates Presidents Day as a federal holiday, and nearly all commercial banks follow that calendar.
What matters to you: you cannot walk into a branch, use a teller, or speak to someone in person on that day. But you can still access your money through ATMs, online banking, mobile apps, and debit cards. Transfers and bill payments you schedule online will process the next business day (Tuesday). Checks you deposit through mobile deposit will clear on Tuesday as well.
If you need cash before the holiday, withdraw it on Friday or Monday morning. If you need to make a payment that cannot wait, use your bank's online bill pay system or a third-party payment app—these work around the clock.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Presidents Day, but ATMs, online banking, and debit cards work normally.
- Transactions you schedule online on Presidents Day will process the next business day (Tuesday).
- The Federal Reserve and most major banks observe Presidents Day; credit unions and some smaller institutions may have different schedules.
- If you need cash or must make a payment, plan ahead by Friday or use online and mobile banking options.
- Wire transfers and same-day payments do not process on federal holidays, so timing matters if you have a deadline.
Which banks actually close on Presidents Day
All major national banks close on Presidents Day: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, and others. State-chartered banks and regional banks follow the same federal holiday schedule. If your bank is FDIC-insured and operates across state lines, it closes on Presidents Day.
Credit unions vary. Most credit unions are members of the CO-OP or Allpoint networks and close on federal holidays, but some smaller credit unions set their own schedules. Call your credit union on Friday to confirm, or check their website—they usually post holiday hours in advance.
Online banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover, etc.) do not have physical branches, so there is nothing to close. You can log in, transfer money, and manage your account on Presidents Day just as you would on any other day. However, transfers to other banks may not process until Tuesday.
What you can and cannot do on Presidents Day
You can do these things: withdraw cash from any ATM, check your balance online or through your app, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills through your bank's online system, use your debit card to buy things, deposit checks through mobile deposit, and set up future-dated transactions.
You cannot do these things: speak to a teller or customer service representative at a branch (though some banks offer phone support for emergencies), deposit cash or checks at a branch, get a cashier's check or money order, open a new account, or process a wire transfer that same day. Wire transfers initiated on Presidents Day will not leave your account until Tuesday.
If you have a time-sensitive need—a wire transfer for a home purchase, for example—initiate it on Friday. If you need a cashier's check, get it on Friday as well. Same-day payment services do not operate on federal holidays.
How to plan ahead if you need cash or to make a payment
If you know you will need cash over the Presidents Day weekend, withdraw it on Friday afternoon or Monday morning before the holiday. ATMs have daily withdrawal limits (usually $500 to $1,000, depending on your bank), so if you need more than that, plan to withdraw on multiple days or contact your bank on Friday to request a higher limit temporarily.
If you have a bill due on or around Presidents Day, pay it online through your bank's bill pay system by Friday. Most bill pay transactions process within one to three business days, so paying on Friday ensures it reaches the recipient by Wednesday or Thursday. Do not wait until Monday.
If you need to send money to someone else, use a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App. These services operate on weekends and holidays. The recipient may see the money instantly or within one business day, depending on the app and their bank.
What happens to direct deposits and automatic payments on Presidents Day
Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day will not hit your account until Tuesday. If your paycheck is set to deposit on Presidents Day, it will arrive on Tuesday instead. Check with your employer or payroll department if you are unsure of your deposit schedule.
Automatic bill payments (mortgage, utilities, insurance) that are scheduled for Presidents Day will process on Tuesday. This usually does not cause a problem because most billers build in a grace period. However, if you are cutting it close on a payment deadline, reschedule the payment for a few days earlier to be safe.
If you have a payment due on Presidents Day itself and you have not yet paid it, use online bill pay or a payment app on Friday to ensure it processes before the due date. Some creditors accept payments up to midnight on the due date, but do not rely on that—pay early.
Presidents Day 2024 and beyond: the exact dates
Presidents Day is always the third Monday in February. Here are the dates for the next several years:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | February 19 |
| 2025 | February 17 |
| 2026 | February 16 |
| 2027 | February 15 |
| 2028 | February 21 |
Mark these dates on your calendar if you know you will need cash or need to make a payment. The day before (Sunday) is your last chance to use a branch, so plan accordingly.
What to do if you have an emergency on Presidents Day
If you have a genuine emergency—a fraud alert on your account, a card that has been lost or stolen, or an urgent question about your money—most banks operate a 24/7 customer service line for cardholders. The number is usually on the back of your debit or credit card. You will reach a representative, though response times may be longer than usual.
If your card has been compromised, call the number on the back immediately. Your bank can freeze the card and issue a replacement. If you need cash and your card is frozen, you can still withdraw from an ATM using your PIN until the card is physically deactivated.
For non-emergencies, wait until Tuesday. Sending an email or using your bank's online message system on Presidents Day will get a response on Tuesday anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant, restaurant, or gas station on Presidents Day. You can also withdraw cash from any ATM, including ATMs at other banks (though you may pay a fee). The bank being closed only affects in-person branch services.
Will my check deposit clear faster if I deposit it before Presidents Day?
Yes. If you deposit a check on Friday, it will likely clear by Monday or Tuesday. If you deposit it on Monday (Presidents Day) through mobile deposit, it will not clear until Wednesday. Mobile deposit works on the holiday, but the clearing process does not start until the next business day.
What if I need to wire money on Presidents Day?
You cannot send a wire transfer on Presidents Day. Wire transfers only process on business days. If you need to send money urgently, initiate the wire on Friday. If you need to send money on Presidents Day itself, use a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo or PayPal instead.
Do credit unions close on Presidents Day?
Most do, but not all. Call your credit union on Friday or check their website to confirm their Presidents Day hours. Some credit unions stay open on federal holidays or offer limited services. Do not assume—verify with your institution.
Will my mortgage payment be late if it is due on Presidents Day?
No, if you pay through your bank's online bill pay system by Friday. The payment will process on Tuesday, which is still within the grace period for most mortgages. If you are paying by check or mail, send it several days earlier to account for mail time and processing delays.