Most U.S. banks close on Good Friday
Yes, the vast majority of banks in the United States close on Good Friday. It is a federal holiday, which means that banks observe it the same way they observe Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If you need to visit a branch, deposit a check, or handle business that requires a teller, you will not be able to do it on Good Friday.
The exact date of Good Friday changes each year because it is tied to the lunar calendar. In 2024, Good Friday falls on March 29. In 2025, it is April 18. The Federal Reserve publishes the full holiday schedule each year, and banks follow it.
However, some banking services do not stop. ATMs stay open, and online banking continues to work. Mobile apps, bill pay, and transfers between your own accounts all function normally on Good Friday. The closure affects only the physical branches and the staff who work there.
Key Takeaways
- Bank branches close on Good Friday because it is a federal holiday, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- The date of Good Friday changes each year; check your bank's website or the Federal Reserve calendar to confirm the exact date.
- If you need cash or must speak to a teller, plan your banking for Thursday or the following Monday.
- Credit unions and some online-only banks may have different holiday schedules, so contact yours directly if you are unsure.
Which banks close and which stay open
All national banks and most state-chartered banks close on Good Friday because federal law requires it. This includes the largest chains: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others. If your bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System—which nearly all are—it observes the federal holiday schedule.
Credit unions vary. Many credit unions also close on Good Friday, but some remain open. The best way to know is to call your credit union directly or check their website. Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover typically do not have physical branches, so the closure does not affect you in the same way, but their customer service phone lines may have reduced hours.
Some banks in states with large Catholic or Christian populations may close earlier on Good Friday afternoon or have limited hours. A few regional banks in the South and Northeast have experimented with staying open, but this is uncommon. Your safest assumption is that your branch will be closed all day.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
You can: Withdraw cash from an ATM, transfer money between your own accounts online, pay bills through your bank's website or app, deposit checks through mobile deposit (if your bank offers it), and check your balance. These services run on bank servers and do not require staff to be present.
You cannot: Visit a branch to speak with a teller, open a new account in person, apply for a loan, cash a check that requires verification, deposit cash at a teller window, or resolve disputes that need human review. If you need a cashier's check or a certified check, you will have to wait until Monday.
Wire transfers initiated online before the bank closes on Thursday may still process, but new wire requests submitted on Good Friday will not go through until the following business day. If you are sending money to someone else, plan ahead.
Planning ahead for Good Friday banking
If you know you will need cash or must handle something at a branch, withdraw money and complete your banking on Thursday. Most banks close at their normal time on Thursday (usually 5 or 6 p.m.), so you have a full business day to get what you need.
If you are expecting a deposit—a paycheck, a tax refund, or a transfer from someone else—it will not post to your account on Good Friday. Deposits that would normally arrive Friday will arrive Monday instead. If you are counting on that money for a weekend expense, make other arrangements.
Check your bank's website or call ahead if you are unsure about their specific hours. Some branches may have different schedules, and a few banks in certain regions may stay open for part of the day. It takes two minutes to confirm, and it beats showing up to a closed door.
What happens to checks and transfers on Good Friday
Checks you deposit on Good Friday will not be processed until Monday. If you use mobile deposit (taking a photo of the check through your app), the image will be received, but the check will not clear until the following business day. The Federal Reserve does not process checks on federal holidays.
Transfers you initiate online on Good Friday—moving money from one account to another, or from your bank to another bank—will be queued and processed when the banks reopen on Monday. This is different from a wire transfer, which is faster but also will not go through on a holiday.
If someone is sending you money and they initiate the transfer on Good Friday, you should expect it to arrive on Monday or Tuesday, depending on the type of transfer and the banks involved. ACH transfers (the standard method for moving money between banks) typically take one to two business days anyway, so Good Friday adds one more day to the timeline.
Good Friday closures and your bills or loan payments
If a bill payment or loan payment is due on Good Friday, you should submit it on Thursday to be safe. Many banks allow you to schedule payments in advance through their website, so you can set up a payment for Thursday even if you are not at your computer that day.
If you miss the Thursday deadline and submit a payment on Good Friday through online banking, it will process on Monday. Whether that counts as late depends on your lender's policy. Some lenders give a grace period; others charge a late fee if the payment is not received by the due date. Check your loan agreement or call your lender to ask how they handle payments submitted on federal holidays.
For credit card payments, the same rule applies: submit on Thursday if the due date is Friday. Most credit card companies do not charge a late fee if the payment arrives on Monday after a federal holiday, but do not rely on that. It is safer to pay early.
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 that accepts cards, regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. The only thing you cannot do is visit a teller or use services that require a person to help you.
Will my direct deposit hit my account on Good Friday?
No. Employers typically submit payroll on Thursday or Friday, but the Federal Reserve does not process ACH transfers (the method used for direct deposit) on federal holidays. A paycheck due Friday will arrive Monday instead. If you are paid weekly and Good Friday falls on your payday, contact your employer to ask if they can submit payroll earlier.
What if I need cash and forgot to withdraw it before Good Friday?
Use an ATM. Every bank has ATMs available 24/7, even when branches are closed. You can withdraw cash at your own bank's ATM or at another bank's ATM (though you may pay a fee). This is the fastest solution.
Do online banks close on Good Friday?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so there is no branch closure. However, their customer service phone lines may have reduced hours or be closed. You can still access your account online and use ATMs. Check your bank's website for their specific holiday hours.
What if Good Friday falls on my loan payment due date?
Submit your payment on Thursday through online banking or by phone. If you submit it on Friday, it will process Monday. Most lenders do not charge a late fee for payments submitted on the Monday after a federal holiday, but read your loan agreement or call to confirm your lender's policy.