Most U.S. banks close on Good Friday
Good Friday is a federal holiday, and most banks treat it the same way they treat Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day — they close their branches and do not process transactions. If you need cash or have banking business to handle, you will need to plan ahead.
The exact banks that close depend on where you live and which bank you use. Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all close on Good Friday. Credit unions and smaller regional banks typically close as well, though a few may stay open — call your branch directly to confirm.
Even if a branch is closed, you can still access your money through ATMs and online banking. Deposits made at an ATM on Good Friday will post the next business day, which is Saturday for most banks (though some do not process Saturday deposits until Monday).
Key Takeaways
- Most major U.S. banks close on Good Friday and do not process deposits, withdrawals, or transfers at the branch.
- ATMs remain available 24/7, and you can move money online or through your mobile app even when branches are closed.
- Deposits made on Good Friday at an ATM will post on the next business day, which may be Saturday or Monday depending on your bank.
- Call your specific bank branch before Good Friday to confirm their hours, since a small number of banks or credit unions may operate on a different schedule.
- Wire transfers and bill payments initiated on Good Friday may not process until the following business day.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
At the branch: You cannot visit a teller, deposit checks in person, withdraw cash over the counter, or speak to a banker about loans or account changes. Safety deposit boxes are also closed.
Online and by phone: You can log into your account, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and check your balance. These actions happen in real time or queue up to process the next business day. You can also call your bank's customer service line — most banks staff these lines even on holidays.
At the ATM: You can withdraw cash, deposit checks or cash (though the deposit will not post until the next business day), transfer money between accounts, and check your balance. ATM transactions happen immediately, but deposits sit in a holding status until the bank processes them.
Wire transfers and external transfers: If you initiate a wire transfer or send money to another bank on Good Friday, it will not leave your account until the next business day. The receiving bank will not receive it until the day after that, since banks do not process wires on federal holidays.
When deposits posted on Good Friday will show up
The timing depends on how you deposit the money and which bank you use. A check deposited at an ATM on Good Friday will typically post to your account on Saturday, but some banks do not process Saturday deposits until Monday morning. Cash deposited at an ATM on Good Friday usually posts the same way — Saturday or Monday.
Mobile check deposits (taking a photo of the check through your bank's app) made on Good Friday will post on the next business day, which is Saturday for most banks. Again, some banks do not process Saturday deposits until Monday.
If you need the money to clear by a specific date, do not rely on a Good Friday deposit. Deposit on Thursday instead, or wait until Saturday or Monday depending on your bank's weekend processing schedule.
Banks that may stay open on Good Friday
A very small number of banks remain open on Good Friday, usually because they operate in states or regions where Good Friday is not treated as a holiday, or because they are independently owned and set their own holiday schedule. These are rare.
Some credit unions stay open on Good Friday even though most do not. A few online-only banks (like Ally or Charles Schwab) do not have physical branches, so the holiday does not affect them — you can still transfer money and manage your account normally.
The only way to know for certain is to call your branch or check your bank's website. Most banks post their holiday hours online a week or two before the holiday, or you can call the branch directly and ask.
Planning ahead to avoid delays
If you need cash on Good Friday, withdraw it on Thursday. If you need to deposit a check, use an ATM on Thursday or Friday morning, understanding that it will not post until Saturday or later. If you are paying a bill that is due on or around Good Friday, pay it by Wednesday to avoid any processing delays.
Wire transfers are the most time-sensitive. If you need to send money to someone and the deadline is close to Good Friday, initiate the wire on Thursday. Do not wait until Friday morning — the wire will not process until Saturday at the earliest, and the receiving bank may not receive it until Monday.
For routine transactions like checking your balance, paying bills from your account, or transferring money between your own accounts, you can do all of this online or through your app on Good Friday without any delay. The transaction will process immediately or queue up for the next business day depending on the type of transaction.
What happens to automatic payments on Good Friday
Automatic bill payments and recurring transfers that are scheduled for Good Friday will process on that day if they were set up to go through your bank's system. The money will leave your account on Good Friday, but if the payment is going to another bank or company, it may not arrive until the next business day or later.
If you have a payment due on Good Friday and you are worried about timing, log into your account and check the status. If it shows as pending, it will process. If it has not been scheduled yet, schedule it for Thursday instead to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any ATM and at any store, restaurant, or business that accepts cards. The bank being closed does not affect your ability to use your card. You just cannot visit the branch in person or speak to a teller.
Will my paycheck deposit on Good Friday if my employer sends it directly to my bank?
Your employer's payroll system will send the deposit on their normal schedule, but the bank will not process it until the next business day. If your employer normally deposits on Friday and Good Friday falls on a Friday, the deposit will post on Saturday or Monday depending on your bank's weekend processing.
What if I need to access my safety deposit box on Good Friday?
You cannot. Safety deposit boxes are only accessible when the branch is open. If you need something from your box, visit on Thursday or wait until Saturday. Plan ahead if you know you will need access around the holiday.
Do online banks close on Good Friday?
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and others do not have physical branches, so they do not close. You can transfer money, check your balance, and manage your account normally. However, if you need to send money to another bank, that receiving bank may be closed, so the transfer may not arrive until the next business day.
If I deposit a check at an ATM on Good Friday, when will I be able to spend the money?
The check will post to your account on Saturday or Monday depending on your bank. You may be able to spend it immediately through your debit card or online transfer, or your bank may hold it for one to two business days. Check your bank's mobile app or call customer service to see if the deposit has posted and whether it is available to spend.