Most banks close on MLK Day, but some branches and ATMs stay open

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday, and most banks treat it the same way they treat Thanksgiving or Christmas — they close their physical branches. That means you cannot walk in to a teller, deposit a check at the counter, or speak to a loan officer on the third Monday in January.

However, ATMs and online banking do not stop. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between accounts, and pay bills from your phone or computer on MLK Day. Some banks also keep a small number of branches open in major cities, though this is rare and varies by bank.

If you need to do something that requires a person — deposit a check, dispute a transaction, open an account, or get a cashier's check — you will need to wait until Tuesday.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank branches close on MLK Day, but ATMs and online banking work normally.
  • You can deposit checks through mobile apps, transfer money, and pay bills without visiting a branch.
  • A small number of banks keep select branches open in major cities; call your branch directly to confirm.
  • Transactions you start online on MLK Day may not process until the next business day.

What you can and cannot do on MLK Day

ATMs work around the clock on MLK Day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks through a mobile app (if your bank offers mobile deposit), check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. These functions do not require a bank employee to be present.

Online banking portals and mobile apps also run normally. You can pay bills, set up transfers, view statements, and manage your accounts from home. Payments you schedule on MLK Day typically process the next business day, so plan ahead if you have a bill due on Tuesday.

You cannot do these things without waiting until Tuesday: deposit a physical check at a teller, withdraw a large amount of cash that requires a manager's approval, dispute a charge in person, open a new account, order a cashier's check, or speak to a loan officer about a mortgage or credit line.

How to check if your specific bank is open

Call your branch directly — do not rely on the main customer service number, which may route you to an automated message. The branch manager or assistant manager can tell you whether that location is open on MLK Day. Some large banks like Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo close all U.S. branches, while smaller regional banks and credit unions vary.

Check your bank's website for holiday hours. Most banks publish their MLK Day schedule in early January. Search for "[Your Bank Name] MLK Day hours" or look for a holiday hours section on their site.

If you use a credit union, call ahead. Credit unions are not required to follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, and some stay open while others close. Your specific credit union's policy depends on its board decision.

When transactions actually process

Transactions you start online on MLK Day do not always process that same day. Banks operate on a batch processing system: transfers, bill payments, and check deposits submitted after a certain time (usually 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.) are queued for the next business day. Since MLK Day is a non-business day, anything submitted on the holiday sits in the queue until Tuesday morning.

If you need money to arrive by a specific date, submit the transaction on Monday, not MLK Day. A transfer you start on Monday evening may post Tuesday morning; the same transfer started on MLK Day might not post until Wednesday.

Mobile check deposits work the same way. You can photograph and upload a check on MLK Day, but the bank does not process it until Tuesday. The funds may not be available until Wednesday or Thursday, depending on your bank's hold policy.

What to do if you need cash or a deposit before Tuesday

Use an ATM. If you need cash on MLK Day, your bank's ATM network is open. If you need to deposit a check and your bank offers mobile deposit, photograph it with your phone and submit it through the app — it will process Tuesday morning.

If you use a different bank's ATM, you may be charged a fee (usually $2 to $3). Some banks reimburse out-of-network ATM fees; check your account terms.

If you need a service that requires a person and cannot wait until Tuesday, look for a bank branch in a neighboring state or city that does not observe MLK Day as a holiday, though this is uncommon and not a reliable option. Your best move is to plan ahead and handle time-sensitive tasks on Monday.

Federal holidays and bank closures

Banks close on all federal holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Some banks also close on Good Friday, though it is not a federal holiday. The Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury do not process transactions on these days, which is why banks close their operations.

Stock markets also close on federal holidays, so if you trade stocks or mutual funds through your bank, you cannot buy or sell on MLK Day. Online brokerages like Fidelity and Charles Schwab also close on federal holidays.

Planning ahead for MLK Day

If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check on or around MLK Day, handle it on Monday. Withdraw extra cash from an ATM, or submit a mobile check deposit on Monday evening so it processes Tuesday morning.

If you have a bill due on Tuesday and you normally pay it in person at a bank branch, pay it online instead. Set up the payment on Monday so it processes Tuesday morning, or use your biller's website directly.

If you are expecting a deposit (paycheck, refund, transfer from another account), remember that it may not post until Wednesday if it was submitted on or around MLK Day. Plan your budget accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on MLK Day?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant, ATM, or online retailer on MLK Day. The bank closure only affects in-person branch services, not card transactions or ATM withdrawals.

Will my direct deposit arrive on MLK Day?

If your employer processes payroll on MLK Day, your direct deposit may arrive on the holiday itself. However, if your employer processes payroll on Monday and submits it to the Federal Reserve, the deposit will not post until Tuesday because the Fed does not process transactions on federal holidays.

Do credit unions close on MLK Day?

Most credit unions close on MLK Day, but not all. Call your credit union to confirm. Some credit unions stay open because they are not required to follow the federal holiday schedule.

What if I need a cashier's check on MLK Day?

You cannot get a cashier's check on MLK Day because the branch is closed. If you need one urgently, contact your bank on Monday and ask if they can issue it then. Some banks can also issue cashier's checks through their online platform, though this is uncommon.

Can I deposit a check at an ATM on MLK Day?

If your bank's ATM has a check deposit slot, yes. However, the bank will not process the deposit until Tuesday morning. The funds may not be available until Wednesday or later, depending on the check amount and your bank's hold policy.