Most banks close on Saturday and Sunday, but you can still move money on weekends through ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps
Yes, the vast majority of banks in the United States close on Saturdays and Sundays. A few banks stay open on Saturday mornings, and a very small number operate on Sunday, but these are exceptions. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone at a branch, you will need to go during the week — typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by location and bank.
The reason banks close on weekends is partly tradition and partly economics. Banks process transactions in batches overnight and on weekends, and they need staff time to handle the volume. More importantly, most customers do their banking during the week, so keeping branches open on weekends costs more than the revenue justifies. That said, the financial system itself does not stop on weekends — you can still send money, check balances, and set up transfers without visiting a branch.
Key Takeaways
- Most bank branches close Saturday and Sunday, but ATMs and online banking work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Transfers you send on a weekend will usually process on Monday morning, not immediately.
- Some banks and credit unions open on Saturday mornings; call your branch or check their website to confirm hours before you go.
- If you need cash on a weekend, your bank's ATM network or a partner bank's ATM can give you access without a branch visit.
- Wire transfers sent on weekends typically process on the next business day, so plan ahead if you have a time-sensitive payment.
What you can do on weekends without a branch
You do not need a branch to move money on a weekend. Every major bank offers online banking and a mobile app that let you transfer funds between your own accounts, send money to other people's accounts at the same bank, and set up bill payments. These transactions are real — the money leaves your account immediately — but they do not settle at the receiving bank until the next business day.
ATMs work around the clock. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (at ATMs that accept deposits), and check your balance at any time. If your bank is part of a network like Allpoint or MoneyPass, you can use thousands of ATMs nationwide without a fee. Credit unions often participate in shared branching networks, which means you can walk into a different credit union on a weekend and conduct some transactions as if it were your own branch.
If you need to send money to someone at a different bank, use your bank's online transfer tool or a service like Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo. These move money between banks, but they settle on the next business day. Wire transfers sent on a weekend will also process on Monday morning, not immediately.
Banks that do open on Saturday
A small number of banks and credit unions open on Saturday mornings, usually from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. These include some branches of larger banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase, but not all locations. Many regional banks and credit unions also open one Saturday per month or every Saturday, depending on the branch.
The only way to know if your branch is open on Saturday is to call ahead or check the bank's website. Search for your bank's name plus "Saturday hours" or use the bank's branch locator tool, which usually shows hours for each location. Do not assume your nearest branch is open just because another branch in the same city is — hours vary widely.
Sunday hours are extremely rare. A handful of credit unions and online banks may have limited Sunday availability, but traditional brick-and-mortar bank branches do not open on Sundays.
How long transfers take when sent on weekends
Any transfer you send on a Saturday or Sunday will not leave your account until Monday morning at the earliest. This applies to ACH transfers (the standard way banks move money between accounts), bill payments, and transfers to other people. The receiving bank will then process it on Monday or Tuesday, depending on when it arrives and how quickly that bank processes incoming transfers.
Wire transfers sent on a weekend go into a queue and process on Monday morning. Some banks prioritize weekend wire transfers and send them first thing Monday; others process them in the order they arrived over the weekend. If you need money to arrive by a specific time, send it on a Friday or earlier in the week.
Zelle and similar peer-to-peer services often deliver money within minutes during business hours, but transfers sent on weekends may take until Monday to complete. Check your bank's terms for the specific service you are using.
What happens to checks deposited on weekends
If you deposit a check at an ATM on a weekend, the bank receives it but does not process it until Monday. The check will be scanned and verified on Monday, and the funds will typically be available by Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the check amount and your bank's policy. Large checks may take longer.
Mobile check deposit (taking a photo of the check through your bank's app) works the same way. You can submit the photo on a weekend, but the bank will not process it until Monday morning. The funds will be available on the same timeline as an ATM deposit.
If you need the money urgently, deposit the check on a Friday instead. Some banks offer next-business-day availability for checks deposited before a certain time on weekdays.
Credit unions and weekend hours
Credit unions are more likely than banks to open on Saturdays, especially if they are part of a shared branching network. Many credit unions open one Saturday per month for member convenience, and some open every Saturday. Hours are usually shorter than weekday hours — often 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you belong to a credit union, check your member handbook or website for Saturday hours at your branch. You may also be able to use a different credit union's branch on a weekend if both are part of the same network. The CO-OP Network and Shared Branch are the two largest credit union networks, and both allow members to conduct transactions at partner locations.
Planning ahead for weekend money needs
If you know you will need cash or need to make a payment on a weekend, handle it on Friday instead. Deposit checks, withdraw cash, and send transfers on Friday so they process over the weekend and are available by Monday. This is especially important if you have a bill due on Monday or need to send money to someone by a specific date.
Keep your bank's customer service number and website bookmarked. If something goes wrong with a weekend transfer or you have questions about when money will arrive, you can call on Monday morning and speak to someone who can look up the transaction. Most banks also offer 24/7 phone support for account questions, even if branches are closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on Sunday?
Yes, at an ATM that accepts deposits. The bank will not process the check until Monday morning, so the funds will not be available until Tuesday or Wednesday. If you need the money sooner, deposit it on Friday instead.
Will my transfer go through if I send it on Saturday night?
The transfer will leave your account immediately, but it will not settle at the receiving bank until Monday. The receiving bank may process it Monday or Tuesday depending on when it arrives and their processing schedule.
Do online banks close on weekends?
Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. You can log in and move money 24/7. However, transfers and bill payments sent on weekends will still process on the next business day, just like at traditional banks.
What if I need cash and the ATM is broken?
Call your bank's customer service line to report the broken ATM and ask for the nearest working ATM in your area. You can also use any ATM in your bank's network or a partner network, even if it is not your usual branch.
Can I speak to someone at my bank on Saturday?
Most banks offer phone support on Saturday, even if branches are closed. Call the number on the back of your debit card or check your bank's website for Saturday phone hours. Some banks also offer chat support through their website or app on weekends.