Most banks close on Presidents Day, but your money still moves
Yes, banks are closed on Presidents Day (the third Monday in February). The Federal Reserve, which sets the official holiday schedule for the banking system, treats it as a federal holiday. That means most traditional banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and regional banks — will not have staff in branches or answer phones that day.
But your money does not freeze. ATMs work 24/7 regardless of whether the bank is open. Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day still land in your account. Transfers you set up before the holiday process on schedule. The closure only affects things that need a human on the other end: teller services, loan applications, wire transfers initiated that day, and customer service calls.
Credit unions follow the same schedule as banks in most cases, though a few stay open. Online banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover) have no branches to close, so they operate normally, though you cannot reach customer service by phone.
Key Takeaways
- Banks close their branches on Presidents Day, but ATMs, direct deposits, and scheduled transfers work normally.
- If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, use an ATM or visit the day before or after.
- Wire transfers, loan applications, and other services requiring staff will not process until the next business day.
- Credit unions typically close too, but online banks have no branches and operate around the clock.
What you can and cannot do on Presidents Day
You can withdraw cash from any ATM, check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up future transfers or bill payments. Deposits you schedule before the holiday will process on the next business day. Direct deposits from your employer land on time. Debit card purchases go through normally.
You cannot walk into a branch and speak to a teller, deposit a check in person, apply for a loan, initiate a wire transfer that day, or reach customer service by phone. If you need to do any of those things, do them on Friday (the day before) or Tuesday (the day after).
If you have a time-sensitive need — a check that has to clear by a certain date, a wire that cannot wait — call your bank on Friday and ask whether they can process it before the holiday closes. Some banks have limited staff available for urgent matters, though this varies by institution.
Check deposits and the Presidents Day delay
If you deposit a check on Friday before Presidents Day, it typically clears by Wednesday. If you deposit on Presidents Day itself (via mobile app or ATM), the bank counts that as a Tuesday deposit, so it clears by Thursday. The holiday adds one calendar day to the timeline, not because the bank is closed, but because the Federal Reserve does not process checks on federal holidays.
Mobile check deposits (through your bank's app) work on Presidents Day — you can photograph and submit the check anytime. The bank receives it, but processing does not start until Tuesday. If you need a check to clear by a specific date, deposit it before Friday or wait until after the holiday.
Wire transfers and time-sensitive payments
Wire transfers initiated on Presidents Day do not go out that day. If you try to send a wire through your bank's website or app, the system may let you schedule it, but it will not process until Tuesday. If you call customer service to request a wire, you will not reach anyone.
If you have a payment due on Presidents Day itself — a mortgage, a bill, a contractor — and you have not sent it yet, send it the Friday before. If it is already Tuesday and you just realized, call your bank on Friday and ask whether they can rush it. Some banks can, some cannot. Do not wait until Monday to find out.
Which banks stay open on Presidents Day
Most major banks close entirely. A very small number of banks — usually smaller regional institutions or banks in states that do not observe the holiday — may stay open, but this is rare. Your best bet is to call your specific bank's customer service line before the holiday and ask whether your branch will be open.
Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover, and Marcus have no physical branches, so they do not close. You can log in, transfer money, and manage your account normally. You cannot reach customer service by phone on the holiday, but you can usually submit questions through the app or website and get a response the next business day.
Credit unions typically close on Presidents Day, following the same federal holiday schedule as banks. Check with your specific credit union — some smaller ones may have different hours or stay open in limited capacity.
What to do if you need cash or a deposit on Presidents Day
Use an ATM. Every bank's ATM network works on Presidents Day, and most banks let you use ATMs from other banks (though you may pay a small fee). Withdraw what you need on Friday, or use any ATM on Monday if you run short.
If you need to deposit a check, use your bank's mobile app if it offers mobile check deposit. Photograph both sides of the check and submit it through the app. The deposit posts to your account immediately (or within a few hours), but the bank does not send it to the Federal Reserve for clearing until Tuesday. For most purposes, that is fine — the money is in your account, and it clears by Thursday.
If your bank does not offer mobile deposit and you absolutely need the check processed on Monday, you have no option through your bank. Some retailers (Walmart, CVS, Walgreens) offer check cashing services, though they charge a fee and may have limits on the amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit come through on Presidents Day?
Yes. Direct deposits are processed by the Federal Reserve's automated system, which runs on holidays. Your paycheck or other regular deposit lands in your account on the scheduled day, even if it is Presidents Day. The bank being closed does not affect this.
Can I pay my bills on Presidents Day?
If you set up automatic bill payments before the holiday, they process on schedule. If you are paying through your bank's bill pay system and you schedule the payment for Presidents Day, it will send on that day. If you are paying by check or wire and you have not sent it yet, send it Friday or call your bank Friday to ask if they can rush it.
What if I need to talk to someone at my bank on Presidents Day?
You cannot reach customer service by phone. If your bank has a mobile app or website chat, try that — some banks have limited chat support on holidays. Otherwise, wait until Tuesday. If it is truly urgent (fraud, a missing deposit), call the number on the back of your debit card; some banks route emergency calls to a 24/7 line.
Do online banks close on Presidents Day?
No. Online banks have no branches, so they do not close. You can log in, transfer money, and manage your account anytime. Phone customer service is usually not available, but you can submit questions through the app or website.
Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day?
Yes. Debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, and balance checks all work normally. The bank being closed does not affect the card itself, only the services that require staff.