Most banks are closed on December 26, 2025
December 26 is not a federal holiday, so banks are not required to close. However, many banks choose to stay closed anyway because their staff is still observing the Christmas holiday break. Some banks reopen on December 26; others stay closed through December 31. Your bank's status depends on its own policy, not on a government mandate.
The safest approach is to check your specific bank's website or call their customer service line before you go. Most banks post holiday hours online by early December, and you can also see closure dates in your mobile app or on your account page.
Key Takeaways
- December 26 is not a federal holiday, so banks are free to set their own hours rather than follow a national closure rule.
- Many banks close for the full week between Christmas and New Year's, while others reopen on December 26 with normal or reduced hours.
- Your bank's holiday schedule is posted on its website, mobile app, and in branches — check there before making a trip.
- If you need cash or to deposit a check, ATMs and mobile deposit work on December 26 even if the branch is closed.
- Wire transfers and other time-sensitive transactions may process more slowly during the holiday period, even if your bank is technically open.
How to find your bank's December 26 hours
Log into your bank's website or open its mobile app and look for a "Holiday Hours" or "Branch Locator" section. Most banks display closure dates prominently in December. You can also call your branch directly or visit in person to ask about December 26 specifically.
If you bank with a large national chain like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, or Citibank, their websites usually have a searchable tool where you enter your zip code and see which branches are open and what their hours are. Regional banks and credit unions post their schedules on their homepages.
What you can do if your bank is closed
ATMs work 24/7, even when the branch is closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts without stepping into a physical branch.
Mobile deposit — taking a photo of a check through your bank's app — also works on December 26 even if the branch is closed. The check will be processed when the bank reopens, but you can submit it immediately. Wire transfers, bill payments, and account transfers initiated online will queue up and process when the bank's systems come back online, though there may be a delay of one or two business days.
When banks reopen after the holiday
Most banks reopen on Monday, December 29, 2025, or Tuesday, December 30, 2025. A few stay closed through December 31 and reopen on January 2, 2026. Check your bank's website to confirm the exact date.
If you have time-sensitive transactions — a large deposit you need to clear, a wire transfer you need to send, a loan payment due — plan ahead. Initiate what you can online before December 24, and call your bank to ask about processing times during the holiday period.
Federal holidays that do close all banks
Banks are required to close on New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. December 26 is not on that list, which is why closures vary by bank.
Some banks also close on Good Friday or other religious holidays depending on their location and policy. If you want to know your bank's full holiday calendar for 2026, ask for it in writing or download it from their website.
Credit unions and smaller banks
Credit unions often follow different schedules than large national banks. Some reopen on December 26; others stay closed through the end of the year. Call your credit union's main number or check their website — they usually post holiday hours by mid-December.
Smaller regional banks may also have different policies. If you bank somewhere other than a major national chain, do not assume their hours match Chase or Bank of America. A quick phone call takes 30 seconds and saves a wasted trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on December 26 if my bank is closed?
Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and stores regardless of whether your branch is open. You can withdraw cash, make purchases, and check your balance without visiting a physical location.
Will my check deposit process if I mobile deposit it on December 26?
The photo will be submitted on December 26, but the check will not clear until your bank's processing systems reopen. Most banks process mobile deposits within one business day of reopening, so expect the funds to appear in your account by December 30 or 31 at the earliest.
What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on December 26?
Call your bank's customer service line — most maintain phone support even when branches are closed. You may wait longer than usual, but you can usually reach someone to answer questions about your account, report fraud, or discuss urgent issues.
Do online banks close on December 26?
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover do not have physical branches, so they do not close on December 26. You can access your account, transfer money, and deposit checks via mobile app. Customer service may have reduced hours, but your account remains fully functional.
If my bank is closed December 26, when can I make a wire transfer?
You can initiate a wire transfer online on December 26, but it will not process until your bank reopens. Wire transfers typically take one business day to complete once processing resumes, so a transfer started on December 26 might not reach the recipient until December 30 or later.