Banks and post offices follow different schedules, and both close on federal holidays

Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited Saturday hours at many branches. Post offices typically operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., though hours vary by location. Both are closed on Sundays and federal holidays — including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

The fastest way to know if a specific branch is open today is to search for it by name or address on the bank's website or the USPS website, both of which show real-time hours. If you are waiting for a refund deposit or need to mail a refund check, knowing the exact hours matters because mail processed after the cutoff time may not arrive until the next business day.

Key Takeaways

  • Most bank branches keep 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekday hours, but individual locations vary — check your bank's website or call ahead.
  • Post offices close on Sundays and all federal holidays, and Saturday hours are usually limited to morning only.
  • The USPS website and your bank's branch locator tool both show today's hours for your specific location in seconds.
  • If you are depositing a refund check, mail received after the branch cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) will not be processed until the next business day.
  • Holiday schedules change year to year — confirm before traveling to a branch on a day that might be a federal holiday.

How to find your bank's hours right now

Go to your bank's website and use the branch locator tool. Type in your zip code or the branch name, and the page will show today's hours, whether the branch is open, and sometimes whether the drive-through or ATM are available if the lobby is closed. Most major banks — Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others — display this information prominently on their homepage.

If you cannot find the hours online or the website is unclear, call the branch directly. The phone number is listed in the branch locator result. A staff member can tell you immediately whether they are open today and whether they can handle your specific task — for instance, some branches do not process certain types of deposits or refunds.

How to find your post office's hours right now

Visit USPS.com and click "Find Locations." Enter your zip code or street address, and the tool will show every post office near you with today's hours, whether it is open right now, and what services are available at each location. The page also displays holiday closures for the current and upcoming months.

If you need to mail a refund check or receive one, note the mail cutoff time — usually between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. depending on the post office. Mail dropped after that time will not be processed until the next business day. Some post offices have after-hours drop boxes outside the building, which you can use anytime, though the mail will not be processed until the next business day regardless.

Federal holidays when both banks and post offices close

When a federal holiday falls on a weekday, both banks and post offices close. The major federal holidays are New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25).

When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, banks and post offices are usually closed on the nearest weekday instead. For example, if Independence Day falls on a Sunday, both may close on Monday. Check your bank's and post office's websites to confirm the observed date, as some institutions handle holiday schedules differently.

What to do if you need to deposit a refund check and the bank is closed

Most banks now offer mobile deposit through their app, which lets you photograph the front and back of a check and submit it without visiting a branch. This works on weekends and after hours, though the deposit will not be processed until the next business day. Check your bank's app to see if this feature is available on your account.

If mobile deposit is not an option, you can mail the check to the bank's processing address — usually listed on the back of the check or on the bank's website. Mail it early in the week so it arrives by Friday; checks mailed late in the week may not be processed until the following week. If you need the money urgently, mobile deposit is faster than mailing.

What to do if you need to mail a refund check and the post office is closed

Use the after-hours drop box outside the post office if one is available at your location. The mail will be collected the next business day and processed from there. Check the USPS website for your nearest location with an after-hours box.

If no drop box is nearby, you can also schedule a package pickup through USPS.com or the mobile app — a mail carrier will come to your home or business to collect outgoing mail. This works on weekdays and some Saturdays, depending on your area. For a refund check, this is usually slower than dropping it in the mail yourself, but it is an option if the post office is closed when you need to send it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are banks open on Saturday?

Many bank branches are open on Saturday mornings, usually from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but not all locations offer Saturday hours. Some banks have Saturday hours at only certain branches. Check your specific branch on your bank's website to confirm whether it is open this Saturday.

Are post offices open on Saturday?

Most post offices are open on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but hours vary by location. Some smaller post offices close earlier or do not open on Saturday at all. Use the USPS location finder to see Saturday hours for your nearest post office.

What time does mail get processed at the post office?

Mail dropped in a post office box or handed to a clerk is usually processed the same day if it arrives before the cutoff time, which is typically between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Mail dropped after that time or in an after-hours box will be processed the next business day. Ask your post office for the exact cutoff time at your location.

Can I deposit a check at an ATM on a holiday?

Yes, ATMs work 24/7, including holidays. You can deposit a check at an ATM anytime, but the deposit will not be processed until the next business day. If the holiday is Monday, a check deposited on Sunday will not be processed until Tuesday.

What happens if I mail a refund check on Friday?

A check mailed on Friday will be processed on Monday if it arrives at the post office before the Friday cutoff time. If it arrives after the cutoff or in an after-hours box, it will not be processed until Tuesday. For faster processing, use mobile deposit or hand-deliver the check to the bank on Monday morning.