Most banks close early or stay closed on New Year's Eve
Most U.S. banks close at their normal time on December 31st or close entirely, depending on the bank and whether that day falls on a weekday. Some branches stay open until 2 or 3 p.m. instead of their usual 5 or 6 p.m. closing time. A few banks—mainly those in areas with heavy foot traffic or holiday shopping—may keep standard hours, but this is uncommon.
The safest assumption is that your branch will either close early or not open at all. Call your bank directly or check their website for your specific branch location, because hours vary widely by location and institution. Do not rely on the main bank number; ask for your local branch.
If you need cash or to deposit something before the holiday, plan to visit on December 30th instead. ATMs work 24/7 regardless of bank hours, so you can withdraw money or deposit checks at any machine that accepts deposits, even if the branch is closed.
Key Takeaways
- Call your branch directly on December 30th to confirm whether it will be open on December 31st and what time it closes.
- Most branches close early on New Year's Eve or do not open at all, with closing times between 2 and 3 p.m. if they are open.
- ATMs and mobile banking work around the clock, so you can withdraw cash or deposit checks without visiting a branch.
- If you need to handle banking on December 31st, do it before noon to be safe, or wait until January 2nd when all branches return to normal hours.
Why banks have different hours on New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is not a federal holiday, so banks are not legally required to close. However, most banks treat it as a day when fewer customers come in, and they reduce staffing and hours to match expected traffic. Some banks close entirely because they consider it a holiday for their employees or because their parent company has a blanket policy.
Credit unions often follow the same pattern as banks in their area, though some stay open longer because they serve members who work standard hours. Online-only banks have no physical branches, so the question does not apply to them—you can transfer money or check balances anytime.
How to find your bank's New Year's Eve hours
The fastest way is to call your branch directly. The main customer service line may not have branch-specific information, so ask to be transferred to your local branch or look up the branch number on your bank's website.
Most banks post holiday hours on their website under "Locations" or "Hours." Search for your branch by zip code or address, and the page will show whether it is open on December 31st and what time it closes. Some banks also send email or text alerts about holiday hours to customers who have opted in.
If you bank with a large national chain, check whether they have a branch locator tool that shows real-time hours. Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase, and Citibank all have searchable branch finders on their websites.
What you can do if your branch is closed
ATMs work regardless of branch hours. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM accepts mobile deposits or check deposits), and transfer money between your own accounts 24 hours a day. If you need to deposit a check and your ATM does not accept deposits, you can use mobile check deposit through your bank's app instead—most banks process these overnight or by the next business day.
If you need to speak to someone or handle a transaction that requires a teller, wait until January 2nd when all branches reopen. Most banking needs can wait two days. If you have an urgent issue—a fraudulent charge, a locked account, or a payment that must go out—call your bank's customer service line; they staff phone lines even when branches are closed.
Planning ahead for the New Year's Eve banking day
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit something on December 31st, do it on December 30th instead. This removes the uncertainty and guarantees you will reach a teller if you need one. December 30th is a Monday in 2024, so most branches will be open at normal hours.
If you are paying bills or sending money to someone, send it on December 30th as well. Banks process payments on a schedule, and sending something on New Year's Eve may delay it by an extra day or two depending on the bank and the type of payment. Wire transfers sent after a bank's cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m.) do not process until the next business day.
New Year's Day banking hours
January 1st is a federal holiday, so all banks are closed. No branches open, and no tellers are working. ATMs and online banking continue to work, but any transaction that requires human processing will not happen until January 2nd.
If you have a check to deposit or cash to withdraw on January 1st, use an ATM. If you need to speak to someone, call customer service—they may have a skeleton crew available for emergencies, though response times will be longer than usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my bank's app or website on New Year's Eve?
Yes. Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs work 24/7 regardless of branch hours. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and deposit checks via mobile deposit anytime. Transactions may process the next business day, but you can initiate them whenever you want.
Will my paycheck deposit on New Year's Eve if it is direct deposit?
Direct deposits are usually processed overnight, so if your employer sends your paycheck on December 31st, it should land in your account by January 1st or January 2nd depending on your bank's processing schedule. Check with your employer about when they send payroll; most do not process on holidays.
What if I need to withdraw money on January 1st?
Use an ATM. They work 24 hours a day, every day, including January 1st. If you do not have an ATM card or your card is not working, you will have to wait until January 2nd when branches reopen. Plan ahead and withdraw cash on December 31st if you think you will need it on January 1st.
Do credit unions have different hours than banks on New Year's Eve?
It depends on the credit union. Some close early or stay closed, while others keep normal hours. Call your credit union directly to confirm. Credit unions are not required to follow the same holiday schedule as banks, so each one sets its own policy.
Will checks I deposit on New Year's Eve clear by January 2nd?
Probably not. Checks deposited on New Year's Eve will not be processed until January 2nd at the earliest, and they may take an additional one to three business days to clear depending on the check's origin bank. If you need the money urgently, deposit it on December 30th instead.