Most banks close on Thanksgiving Day, but some branches may have limited hours the day after
Banks treat Thanksgiving as a federal holiday, which means the vast majority close their physical branches on Thanksgiving Day itself. The Federal Reserve does not process payments that day, and most banks do not staff their locations. However, the Friday after Thanksgiving is a regular business day for most banks — they operate on their normal schedule, though some branches in smaller towns may choose to stay closed.
If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or handle a transaction on Thanksgiving, your best option is an ATM or mobile banking app. Both work around the clock. If you need to speak to someone, you will have to wait until Friday or the following Monday.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly all bank branches close on Thanksgiving Day itself, though ATMs and mobile apps remain available 24/7.
- The Friday after Thanksgiving is a normal business day for most banks, with standard hours at most locations.
- Wire transfers, bill payments, and other transactions initiated on Thanksgiving may not process until Friday or Monday, depending on the bank.
- If you need cash or to deposit a check on Thanksgiving, use your bank's ATM or mobile app instead of visiting a branch.
Which banks close on Thanksgiving and which stay open
All major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, and others — close their branches on Thanksgiving Day. This is a federal holiday, and banks are required to close. Credit unions follow the same pattern: most close on Thanksgiving, though a small number of credit unions in specific regions may stay open with reduced hours.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is different. Most large banks operate on their regular Friday schedule. Some smaller regional banks and credit unions may choose to close the day after Thanksgiving as a courtesy to staff, so it is worth checking your specific branch's hours online or calling ahead if you have a transaction that cannot wait.
What you can do on Thanksgiving if you need banking services
ATMs work on Thanksgiving Day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your bank's ATM accepts mobile deposits or remote check capture), and check your balance at any time. There are no holiday restrictions on ATM use.
Mobile banking apps also work normally on Thanksgiving. You can transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, send money to other people through services like Zelle or your bank's peer-to-peer transfer feature, and view your account details. The only limitation is that some transactions — particularly wire transfers and payments to external accounts — may not actually process until the next business day.
If you need to speak to a customer service representative, most large banks offer phone support on Thanksgiving, though wait times are often longer than usual. Check your bank's website or the back of your debit card for the customer service number. Smaller banks and credit unions are less likely to have holiday phone support.
When transactions actually process if you initiate them on Thanksgiving
Timing depends on the type of transaction. Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank usually process immediately or within a few hours, even on a holiday. Payments through Zelle or similar peer-to-peer services typically go through within minutes to a few hours.
Wire transfers initiated on Thanksgiving will not process until Friday at the earliest, because the Federal Reserve does not handle wire transfers on federal holidays. The same applies to ACH transfers (payments to external bank accounts) and bill payments sent to companies outside your bank. These queue up and process on the next business day.
If you are paying a bill or sending money to someone else's account, assume it will not arrive until Friday or Monday. Do not initiate a payment on Thanksgiving if the recipient needs the money on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Friday after Thanksgiving hours at major banks
The day after Thanksgiving is a regular business day. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most other national banks operate on their standard Friday hours — typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., depending on the branch. Some branches in busy areas may open earlier or close later.
To confirm your specific branch's hours, visit the bank's website, use their branch locator tool, or call the branch directly. Hours vary by location, and a few branches in rural areas may close the day after Thanksgiving even though most do not.
What to do if you need money on Thanksgiving and cannot use an ATM
If your bank's ATM is out of service or does not have enough cash, you have limited options on Thanksgiving. Some grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores offer cash-back services when you make a purchase with a debit card — this does not require a bank branch to be open. Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and most supermarkets offer this service.
If you need a large amount of cash or have a transaction that only a bank can handle, you will need to wait until Friday. Plan ahead if you know you will need cash over the holiday weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my bank's ATM on Thanksgiving?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7, including on Thanksgiving. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM supports mobile deposit), and check your balance without any restrictions.
Will a wire transfer I send on Thanksgiving go through that day?
No. Wire transfers do not process on federal holidays because the Federal Reserve is closed. A wire initiated on Thanksgiving will process on Friday morning at the earliest. If the recipient needs the money on Thanksgiving, you cannot send it that day.
Are banks open the day after Thanksgiving?
Most banks are open on Friday after Thanksgiving with regular hours. A small number of smaller banks and credit unions may close, so check your specific branch's hours online or by phone before you go.
Can I pay bills on Thanksgiving using my bank's app?
You can initiate a bill payment through your app on Thanksgiving, but it will not process until Friday or later. The payment will queue up and send on the next business day. Do not use this method if the bill is due on Thanksgiving itself.
What if I need to speak to a bank representative on Thanksgiving?
Some large banks offer phone support on Thanksgiving, though wait times are typically longer. Call the number on the back of your debit card or check your bank's website for holiday hours. Smaller banks and credit unions rarely have holiday phone support.