Most banks close early or stay shut on December 24
Most U.S. banks close by noon or 1 p.m. on December 24, and many do not open at all. Some branches stay open until their normal closing time, but this varies by bank and by location. The safest assumption is that your branch will be closed or closing early, so plan accordingly if you need cash or to handle banking business that day.
The reason is simple: December 24 is the day before Christmas, a federal holiday. Banks treat the day before a federal holiday the same way they treat the holiday itself in many cases — with reduced hours or full closure. Your specific bank's policy depends on the bank's corporate rules and whether your local branch chooses to stay open.
If you need money on December 24, your best options are ATMs (which run 24/7), online transfers, or visiting a branch the day before. Do not count on being able to walk into a branch and speak to a teller on December 24 afternoon.
Key Takeaways
- Call your bank's customer service line or check their website before December 24 to confirm your specific branch's hours — they vary widely.
- ATMs work on December 24 even if branches are closed, so you can withdraw cash anytime.
- Online transfers and bill payments process normally on December 24, though they may not settle until after the holiday.
- If you need to deposit a check or handle a transaction that requires a teller, do it on December 23 or earlier.
- Some banks open on December 26 (the day after Christmas), but others stay closed through December 27 depending on how the weekend falls.
How to find your bank's December 24 hours
The fastest way is to call your bank's main customer service number — the one on the back of your debit card or on their website. Ask specifically about December 24 hours at your branch. Do not assume all branches in your area have the same hours; some may close while others stay open.
You can also log into your bank's website or mobile app and search for branch hours. Most banks list holiday hours separately from regular hours, so look for a link that says "holiday hours" or "branch locator." If you cannot find it online, a phone call takes five minutes and removes the guesswork.
If you bank with a large national chain like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, or Citibank, you can usually find holiday hours on their main website without calling. Smaller regional banks and credit unions may require a phone call to confirm.
Using ATMs and online banking on December 24
ATMs are open 24 hours on December 24, regardless of whether your branch is open. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using an ATM anytime that day. If your bank charges a fee for out-of-network ATM use, that fee still applies on December 24, so use your bank's ATM if you can.
Online banking and mobile apps work normally on December 24. You can transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and send money to other people using your bank's app or website. Transfers between your own accounts usually process immediately. Transfers to other people's accounts or bill payments may not settle until December 26 or later, depending on the receiving bank and the type of transaction.
If you need to move money on December 24 and cannot reach a teller, online transfer is your fastest option. Just know that the money may not arrive in the recipient's account until after the holiday.
What you cannot do on December 24 if your branch is closed
If your branch is closed, you cannot deposit checks, get a cashier's check, open a new account, or speak to a banker about a loan or account issue. You also cannot use a safe deposit box. Any transaction that requires a teller or a banker's signature has to wait until your branch reopens.
If you have a check you need to deposit, deposit it on December 23 or earlier. If you wait until December 24 and your branch is closed, the check will not be processed until December 26 at the earliest, which delays when the money hits your account.
For urgent banking problems on December 24, call your bank's customer service line. They can sometimes handle account issues, fraud reports, or card replacement over the phone, even if branches are closed.
Planning ahead for the December 24–26 period
December 24, 25, and 26 are all bank holidays or partial-closure days in most of the country. December 25 (Christmas) is a federal holiday, so all banks are closed. December 24 is the day before, so many close early or stay shut. December 26 is the day after, and most banks reopen, but some stay closed if December 26 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
If you need cash or have banking business to handle, do it on December 23. Withdraw extra cash from an ATM if you think you might need it over the holiday. Pay any bills online before December 24 if the payment needs to settle by a certain date. Deposit checks before December 24 so they process before the holiday.
If you are traveling or away from your home branch on December 24, use ATMs in your bank's network or use online banking to handle what you need. Do not count on being able to visit a branch in an unfamiliar city on December 24 — hours are unpredictable and many locations close entirely.
Credit unions and smaller banks on December 24
Credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, so most close on December 25 and have reduced hours or closures on December 24. However, some credit unions stay open longer than banks do, and a few stay open all day on December 24. Call your credit union directly to confirm — do not assume they follow the same hours as a nearby bank.
Smaller regional banks and community banks vary widely. Some close early on December 24, some stay open until normal closing time, and some close entirely. Again, a phone call to your branch is the only way to know for sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card at stores on December 24 if my bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at stores and ATMs on December 24 even if your bank branch is closed. The bank's branch closure does not affect card transactions. You can swipe your card, use contactless payment, or withdraw cash from any ATM in your bank's network.
Will a check I deposit on December 24 clear before Christmas?
No. If you deposit a check on December 24, it will not process until December 26 at the earliest, and the funds may not be available in your account until December 27 or later. Deposit checks on December 23 or earlier if you need the money before the holiday.
What if I need cash and my bank is closed on December 24?
Use an ATM. Your bank's ATMs are open 24/7 on December 24, even if the branch is closed. If you do not have cash and cannot reach an ATM, you can use your debit card to make purchases at stores, or ask a store if they offer cash back with a debit card purchase.
Do banks open on December 26?
Most banks reopen on December 26, but some stay closed if December 26 falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Check your bank's holiday schedule or call ahead to confirm. If December 26 is a Saturday or Sunday at your bank, the branch may not reopen until Monday, December 27.
Can I transfer money to someone else on December 24?
Yes, you can initiate a transfer online or through your mobile app on December 24. The transfer may not settle in the recipient's account until December 26 or later, depending on their bank. For urgent transfers, call your bank's customer service line — they may be able to process it faster.