Most banks will be closed on Good Friday, but some services stay open
Good Friday is a federal holiday, which means most traditional bank branches will be closed. However, the picture is more complicated than a single yes or no. Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all close their physical locations on Good Friday. But ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps continue to work around the clock — you can transfer money, check balances, and pay bills from your phone or computer without interruption.
Credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, so most will also close their branches on Good Friday. Regional and smaller banks vary; some observe the holiday and some do not, depending on their internal policies and the states where they operate. The safest approach is to contact your specific bank or credit union directly to confirm their Good Friday hours, since policies differ even within the same banking network across different branches.
If you need cash or in-person service on Good Friday, plan ahead. Withdraw money on Thursday, or use an ATM on Friday morning before you need it. If your bank is part of a shared ATM network, you can often use another bank's ATM without a fee — check your bank's website for network details.
Key Takeaways
- Major national banks close their branches on Good Friday because it is a federal holiday, but ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7.
- Credit unions typically close on Good Friday as well, though some smaller or regional institutions may stay open — contact yours to confirm.
- You can still deposit checks, transfer money, and pay bills through your bank's mobile app or website on Good Friday without any delay.
- If you need cash, withdraw it on Thursday or use an ATM on Friday, since branch tellers will not be available.
- Wire transfers and other services that require staff processing may be delayed until the following business day.
What stays open on Good Friday
ATMs operate normally on Good Friday at your bank's locations and at partner banks in shared networks. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks using mobile deposit or an ATM envelope, and check your balance at any time. There is no delay or hold on these transactions because they are automated.
Online and mobile banking work without interruption. Log into your bank's website or app to transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, send money to other people, and review your transaction history. These services do not depend on branch staff, so the holiday does not affect them.
Debit and credit card transactions process normally. Purchases you make on Good Friday go through the same way they would on any other day. Fraud alerts and card locks may still trigger, and you can contact your bank's 24-hour customer service line to address them.
What does not happen on Good Friday
Wire transfers initiated on Good Friday will not be sent until the next business day (Saturday is not a business day for banking, so the wire goes out Monday). If you need to send money urgently, initiate the wire on Thursday instead. The same applies to ACH transfers between banks — they process on the next business day.
Cashier's checks and money orders require a teller, so you cannot get them on Good Friday. If you need one, visit your branch on Thursday or Monday. Some banks offer cashier's checks through their mobile app, but this varies by institution.
Loan applications, mortgage processing, and other services that require staff review do not move forward on Good Friday. If you are waiting for a decision, expect the timeline to extend by one day. Calls to customer service may take longer than usual on Thursday as people try to handle business before the holiday.
Planning ahead for Good Friday banking
Check your bank's website or call their main number on Thursday to confirm Good Friday hours. Some banks post holiday schedules weeks in advance. If your branch has extended hours on Thursday, use that time to handle anything that requires a teller.
If you pay bills by check, mail them earlier in the week so they arrive before Good Friday. If you pay online, schedule payments for Thursday or earlier. Do not wait until Friday to initiate a payment that needs to clear by a specific date.
If you have a time-sensitive transaction — a large deposit, a loan closing, a wire transfer — contact your bank on Thursday to confirm it can be completed before the holiday. Some banks can process certain transactions early if you ask.
What to do if you need banking services on Good Friday
Use your ATM card to withdraw cash or deposit checks. Most banks allow mobile check deposit through their app, which means you can photograph a check and submit it from home without visiting a branch. The check clears on the next business day.
Transfer money through your mobile app or online banking. If you need to send money to someone else, use Zelle, PayPal, or your bank's peer-to-peer transfer service. These are faster than wire transfers and work on holidays.
Call your bank's customer service line if you have questions or need to report fraud. Most banks operate 24-hour phone lines even on holidays. You may wait longer than usual, but the service is available.
Regional and online bank differences
Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Marcus do not have physical branches, so the concept of "closed" does not apply to them in the same way. Their websites and apps work normally on Good Friday. However, customer service phone lines may have reduced staffing, and any transactions that require human review may be delayed until Monday.
Some regional banks and credit unions do not observe Good Friday as a holiday. This is more common in areas with smaller Catholic populations or in institutions that have chosen not to recognize it. Call your bank directly — do not assume based on national trends.
Banks that operate in multiple states may have different policies for different locations. A branch in one state might be open while a branch in another state is closed. Check the specific branch location on your bank's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit card transactions process through automated systems that do not depend on branch staff. You can make purchases, withdraw cash from ATMs, and use your card normally on Good Friday. The only limitation is that you cannot visit a teller for services like cashier's checks or account changes.
Will my direct deposit be delayed if Good Friday falls on a payday?
No. Direct deposits are processed by automated systems and are not affected by bank holidays. If your employer sends your paycheck on Friday, it will arrive in your account on Friday as scheduled. However, if your employer processes payroll on Friday and sends it Monday, the delay is on their end, not the bank's.
What if I need to deposit a large check before Good Friday?
Visit your branch on Thursday or use mobile check deposit through your bank's app on Friday. Mobile deposits typically clear by the next business day. If you need the money to be available immediately, deposit it in person on Thursday and ask the teller to make it available the same day.
Are credit unions open on Good Friday?
Most credit unions close on Good Friday because it is a federal holiday. However, some smaller credit unions and those in certain regions may stay open. Contact your credit union directly to confirm their hours. Online and mobile banking services work normally regardless of branch hours.
Can I pay my mortgage or loan on Good Friday?
Yes, through online banking or automatic payment. If you mail a check, send it by Thursday so it arrives before the holiday. If you need to make a payment in person or discuss your account with a loan officer, you will need to visit on Thursday or wait until Monday.