Most U.S. banks close on Rosh Hashanah, but the exact dates and which branches stay open depend on your bank and location

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, falls on different dates each year because it follows the Hebrew calendar. In 2024, it runs from the evening of September 22 through the evening of September 24. In 2025, it will be September 22–24 again. Most major U.S. banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank — close their branches on both days of Rosh Hashanah and treat them as federal holidays for wire transfers and check clearing.

However, some banks stay open in areas with large Jewish populations, and some branches may have different hours than others. The safest approach is to contact your specific bank branch directly or check their website before the holiday. ATMs and online banking typically remain available even when branches are closed.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major banks close their physical branches on both days of Rosh Hashanah and do not process wire transfers or clear checks those days.
  • Some banks in areas with significant Jewish communities may keep certain branches open with reduced hours — you must call your branch to confirm.
  • ATMs work normally during Rosh Hashanah, and you can access your account online or through mobile apps even when branches are closed.
  • Checks deposited on Rosh Hashanah will not clear until the next business day, and wire transfers initiated that day will process the following day.
  • Credit unions follow the same closure pattern as banks, though some smaller institutions may have different policies.

Which banks close and which stay open

The major national banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank, and PNC — all close their branches on Rosh Hashanah. Smaller regional banks and credit unions typically do the same, though a few may remain open in communities where a large portion of their customer base observes the holiday.

Banks in areas with substantial Jewish populations, such as parts of New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California, are more likely to keep some branches open with modified hours. Call your branch directly to ask whether it will be open and what hours it will keep. Do not rely on the bank's general website, because branch policies vary.

What you can and cannot do on Rosh Hashanah

When a bank branch is closed on Rosh Hashanah, you cannot visit in person to withdraw cash, deposit checks, or speak with a banker. Wire transfers initiated on Rosh Hashanah will not process until the next business day. Checks you deposit on the holiday will not clear until the day after the bank reopens.

You can still use ATMs to withdraw cash and check your balance. Online banking, mobile apps, and phone banking remain available. You can also initiate transfers between your own accounts through your bank's digital platform, though transfers to other banks may not process until the following business day.

Planning ahead for Rosh Hashanah closures

If you need cash or plan to deposit checks, do so the business day before Rosh Hashanah begins. If you need to send a wire transfer, initiate it before the holiday starts. If you are expecting a wire transfer or check deposit, know that it will not arrive or clear until after the bank reopens.

For recurring bills or automatic payments, most are processed through the banking system and will go through normally even if your bank branch is closed. However, if you need to make a manual payment or speak with customer service about a transaction, plan to do that before or after the holiday.

How Rosh Hashanah affects check clearing and transfers

The Federal Reserve does not process checks or wire transfers on Rosh Hashanah, so any transaction you initiate on that day enters the queue for the next business day. This means a check you deposit on Rosh Hashanah will not clear until at least the day after the bank reopens. A wire transfer sent on the holiday will process the following business day.

If Rosh Hashanah falls on a Thursday and Friday, the next business day is Monday, so transactions initiated on Friday will not process until Monday. Plan accordingly if you are counting on funds arriving by a specific date.

What to do if you need banking services during Rosh Hashanah

Use your bank's ATM to withdraw cash or check your balance. Call your bank's customer service line — most banks staff phone lines even on holidays, though wait times may be longer. Use your mobile app or online banking to transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills from your account, or check recent transactions.

If you need to deposit a check urgently, some banks offer mobile check deposit through their app, which you can do on Rosh Hashanah. The check will enter the clearing queue the next business day. If you need to speak with a banker about a problem or make a transaction that requires human assistance, wait until the bank reopens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my automatic bill payments go through on Rosh Hashanah?

Most automatic payments process normally because they are handled by the banking system rather than individual branches. However, if a payment is scheduled to process on Rosh Hashanah itself, it may be delayed by one day. Check with your biller if timing is critical.

Can I use my debit card on Rosh Hashanah?

Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on Rosh Hashanah even if your bank branch is closed. The transaction will post to your account normally, though if you are near your account limit, the bank may not process the transaction until the next business day.

What if I need to report fraud or a missing card on Rosh Hashanah?

Call your bank's customer service line. Most banks staff fraud departments 24/7, including holidays. Have your account number and card number ready. If you cannot reach anyone, you can also report fraud through your mobile app or online banking portal.

Do online banks close on Rosh Hashanah?

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Marcus do not have physical branches, so they do not close. However, they may not process wire transfers or check clearing on Rosh Hashanah because those services depend on the Federal Reserve, which is closed.

Will ATMs have cash on Rosh Hashanah?

Most ATMs will have cash available on Rosh Hashanah because banks stock them in advance. However, if an ATM runs out of cash and the branch is closed, it will not be refilled until the branch reopens. Try a different ATM if one is empty.