Most U.S. banks close on Good Friday
Yes, the vast majority of banks in the United States close on Good Friday and do not process transactions that day. Good Friday is a federal holiday, which means the Federal Reserve does not operate and most traditional banks treat it as a non-business day. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or conduct business in person, you will need to plan around the closure.
The exact banks that close vary slightly by region and by institution type. Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all close on Good Friday. Credit unions typically close as well, though a small number remain open depending on their policies. Online banks and digital-only financial institutions may not observe the holiday in the same way, since they do not have physical branches, but their customer service lines and some transaction processing may still be delayed.
Good Friday falls on a different date each year because it is tied to the lunar calendar. In 2024, Good Friday is March 29. In 2025, it is April 18. If you are planning ahead, check your bank's holiday schedule on their website or call ahead to confirm closure dates for the year.
Key Takeaways
- Most traditional banks close entirely on Good Friday, including all major national chains and most credit unions.
- The Federal Reserve does not operate on Good Friday, so wire transfers and ACH transactions may be delayed.
- Online banks and mobile apps may still function, but customer service and some processing may be slower.
- Good Friday dates change each year, so check your bank's holiday calendar before you need to conduct business.
- ATMs typically remain available even when branches are closed, so you can withdraw cash if needed.
What transactions are delayed on Good Friday
Even if your bank's ATM is available, certain types of transactions will not process until the next business day. Wire transfers initiated on Good Friday will not leave your account until Monday. ACH transfers—the system used for direct deposits, bill payments, and transfers between accounts—also pause on federal holidays. If you send a check deposit through mobile deposit on Good Friday, it will not clear until Monday or later, depending on your bank's processing timeline.
Checks you deposit on Good Friday are treated as if you deposited them on Monday, so the funds will not be available until Tuesday or Wednesday. If you need cash or funds urgently over the Good Friday weekend, withdraw money on Thursday or earlier in the week. Debit card purchases and online bill payments may go through immediately from your perspective, but the actual settlement between banks happens on the next business day.
ATMs and online banking still work
Your bank's ATM will almost certainly remain available on Good Friday, even though the branch is closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks using the ATM's mobile deposit feature (if your bank offers it). However, mobile check deposits made on Good Friday will not be processed until Monday, so the funds will not appear in your account immediately.
Online banking platforms and mobile apps continue to function on Good Friday. You can log in, view your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up bill payments. The transactions you initiate will be queued and processed on Monday when the bank reopens. This means a bill payment you schedule on Friday will not actually leave your account until Monday, so plan accordingly if a payment is due on Friday itself.
How to plan ahead for the Good Friday closure
If you know you will need cash or need to conduct banking business over the Good Friday weekend, handle it on Thursday. Withdraw cash, deposit checks, or make transfers before the holiday. If you are expecting a direct deposit or a check to clear, remember that Good Friday delays it by one business day, so a deposit that would normally clear on Friday will not clear until Monday.
If you have a time-sensitive payment due on Good Friday itself, pay it on Thursday instead. Most billers do not process payments received on federal holidays, so paying on Friday will not meet a Friday deadline anyway. For bills due the following Monday, paying on Friday through online banking is fine—the payment will process on Monday morning.
If you bank at a credit union, call ahead to confirm their Good Friday hours. A small number of credit unions remain open or have limited hours on the holiday, so it is worth checking rather than assuming closure. The same applies if you use a smaller regional or community bank.
Online banks and digital-only institutions
Banks that operate only online, such as Ally, Charles Schwab, or Marcus, do not have physical branches to close. However, they still observe Good Friday as a federal holiday for transaction processing purposes. Wire transfers and ACH transactions initiated on Good Friday will not process until Monday. Customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or delayed response times.
The advantage of online banks on Good Friday is that you can still log in, view your account, and initiate transactions at any time. The disadvantage is that those transactions will not actually settle until the next business day. If you need immediate access to funds or need to speak with customer service, an online bank may be less helpful on a federal holiday than a traditional bank with extended hours.
State and local bank variations
A very small number of state-chartered banks or banks in specific regions may have different policies about Good Friday. Some banks in states where Good Friday is not widely observed as a holiday may remain open or have limited hours. Before assuming your bank is closed, check the bank's website or call the branch directly. Most banks post their holiday schedule online, and you can usually find it under "Hours" or "Locations."
If you use multiple banks or have accounts at both a traditional bank and a credit union, check each institution's holiday schedule separately. They may not all follow the same closure policy, though the vast majority do close on Good Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit card purchases work normally on Good Friday because they route through payment networks that operate on holidays. The transaction will appear in your account immediately from your perspective, but the actual settlement between banks happens on Monday. ATM withdrawals also work normally.
Will my direct deposit arrive on Good Friday?
No. If your employer normally deposits your paycheck on Friday, and that Friday is Good Friday, the deposit will arrive on Monday instead. Payroll systems pause on federal holidays. Check with your employer if you are unsure whether your pay date will shift.
What if I need to deposit a check on Good Friday?
Use your bank's mobile deposit feature through the app if available. The check will be photographed and queued for processing, but it will not actually clear until Monday. If you need the funds urgently, deposit the check on Thursday instead.
Do wire transfers process on Good Friday?
No. Wire transfers initiated on Good Friday will not leave your account until Monday. If you need to send money urgently, do it on Thursday. Some banks may allow you to schedule a wire transfer for Monday, which can be useful if you know the timing in advance.
Is Good Friday a holiday at all banks?
Almost all traditional banks and credit unions close on Good Friday because it is a federal holiday and the Federal Reserve does not operate. Online-only banks do not have branches to close, but they still pause transaction processing. A very small number of regional or community banks may have different policies, so call ahead if you are unsure.