Most U.S. banks are closed on Good Friday
Good Friday is a federal holiday, and most banks observe it by closing their branches for the day. This means you cannot visit a branch, use a teller, or conduct in-person business. The exact closure depends on which bank you use and where you live, because some regional banks and credit unions set their own schedules.
If you need to move money or pay a bill on Good Friday, your options are limited to online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs. Transfers between your own accounts, bill payments scheduled in advance, and ATM withdrawals will work normally. Anything that requires a person — depositing a check at the counter, getting a cashier's check, speaking to a loan officer — will have to wait until Saturday or Monday.
Good Friday falls on a different date each year because it is tied to Easter. In 2024 it was March 29. In 2025 it will be April 18. In 2026 it will be April 3. Check your bank's holiday calendar or call ahead if you are unsure whether a specific Friday is a closure day.
Key Takeaways
- Most major U.S. banks close all branches on Good Friday, though online banking and ATMs remain available.
- You can still transfer money, pay bills online, and withdraw cash from ATMs on Good Friday without visiting a branch.
- Some regional banks and credit unions may stay open or have different hours, so check with your specific bank before the holiday.
- Good Friday is a different date each year; confirm the date with your bank's website or by calling ahead.
- If you need a service that requires a teller or loan officer, plan to visit on Thursday or wait until Saturday or Monday.
Which banks close and which stay open
The major national banks — Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most others — close all branches on Good Friday. Credit unions typically close as well, though some smaller or regional credit unions may have different policies. If you belong to a smaller bank or credit union, call the branch directly or check their website to confirm.
Some banks post their holiday schedule online under a link like "Hours" or "Holiday Hours." Others require you to call or visit in person. The safest approach is to contact your bank by phone or through their app a few days before Good Friday and ask directly whether your branch will be open.
What you can and cannot do on Good Friday
You can do these things: Withdraw cash from an ATM, transfer money between your own accounts using online banking or a mobile app, pay bills through your bank's bill pay system, deposit checks using mobile check deposit (if your bank offers it), and check your account balance.
You cannot do these things: Visit a branch and speak to a teller, deposit cash at a counter, get a cashier's check or money order, open a new account, apply for a loan, dispute a transaction in person, or get a safe deposit box opened. Any service that requires a bank employee will not be available.
If you need cash and your ATM card is not working, or if you need a service only a teller can provide, you will have to wait. Plan ahead by withdrawing what you need on Thursday or by using online services before the holiday.
How to prepare before Good Friday
The day before Good Friday, withdraw enough cash for the weekend and any immediate needs. If you know you will need a cashier's check, money order, or any other teller service, get it done on Thursday. Set up any bill payments or transfers through your bank's online system before the holiday so they process automatically.
If you use mobile check deposit, take photos of checks on Thursday or Friday morning before the bank closes. Most banks process mobile deposits overnight, so a deposit made Friday morning may not clear until Saturday or later. If you need the money urgently, deposit it Thursday instead.
If you have a time-sensitive financial need — a wire transfer, a loan decision, or a dispute — contact your bank on Thursday to explain the situation. Some banks can handle urgent requests before a holiday closure, or they can schedule a callback for the next business day.
What happens to transactions on Good Friday
Transactions you initiate through online banking or your mobile app on Good Friday will process normally. Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank usually go through immediately or within hours. Bill payments scheduled in advance will send on their normal date, even if that date is Good Friday.
Deposits made at an ATM on Good Friday will be credited to your account, though the funds may not be available until the next business day depending on your bank's policy. Checks deposited through mobile deposit on Good Friday will follow your bank's normal processing timeline, which is usually one to two business days.
If you send a wire transfer or initiate a payment to another bank, it may not process until the next business day because the receiving bank may also be closed. Check with your bank about timing if you are sending money to another institution on or near Good Friday.
Good Friday closures at other financial institutions
Stock markets (NYSE and NASDAQ) are closed on Good Friday, so you cannot trade stocks or access brokerage services that day. Most investment firms close their offices but allow online trading and account access through their platforms.
Insurance companies typically close their offices on Good Friday but allow online payments and policy management through their websites and apps. If you need to speak to an agent, you will have to wait until the next business day.
Loan servicers and mortgage companies usually close on Good Friday as well. If you have a mortgage or student loan payment due on Good Friday, make sure it is set up to pay automatically or submit it a few days early through online banking.
Planning around Good Friday if you need banking services
If you know you will need a banking service that requires a branch visit, schedule it for Thursday afternoon or the following Monday. Many people wait until the last minute, so branches can be busy on the day before a holiday — consider going earlier in the week if possible.
If you are traveling over the Easter weekend and need cash, withdraw it before you leave or use ATMs at your destination. Not all ATMs charge fees, but out-of-network ATMs often do, so plan ahead to avoid surprise charges.
If a payment is due on Good Friday and you cannot pay online, contact the creditor or service provider ahead of time to ask whether they will accept a payment on Thursday or whether they will waive a late fee if it arrives on Monday. Many companies understand that banks are closed and will work with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Good Friday if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at ATMs and stores regardless of whether your bank branch is open. You can withdraw cash from any ATM and make purchases anywhere that accepts cards. The bank closure only affects in-person services at the branch.
Will my direct deposit go through on Good Friday?
Direct deposits scheduled for Good Friday may be delayed by one day because the banking system processes differently on federal holidays. Check with your employer or the source of the deposit to confirm the exact timing. If your paycheck is due on Good Friday, it may arrive Thursday or Monday depending on your employer's system.
What if I need to deposit a check on Good Friday?
Use mobile check deposit through your bank's app if you have it. Take a photo of the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. The check will be processed according to your bank's normal timeline, usually one to two business days. If you cannot use mobile deposit, wait until Saturday or Monday to deposit it at an ATM or branch.
Do ATMs work on Good Friday?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 regardless of whether the branch is open. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between accounts using an ATM on Good Friday. The only limitation is that you cannot deposit cash at most ATMs — only checks through mobile deposit or at a branch.
Can I call my bank on Good Friday?
Most banks close their phone lines on Good Friday, so you will not reach a customer service representative. Some banks have automated phone systems that work on holidays. If you need to speak to someone, call on Thursday or wait until Saturday or Monday. For urgent issues, check whether your bank offers 24/7 support through a mobile app or online chat.