Most banks are closed on Memorial Day, but you can still access your money
Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May each year. On that day, most brick-and-mortar bank branches are closed because it is a federal holiday. However, you can still withdraw cash, check your balance, and move money using ATMs, mobile apps, and online banking — these services run 24/7 regardless of the holiday.
If you need to speak to a person or handle something that requires a teller, you will have to wait until Tuesday. Some banks open on the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend, so that may be an option if you plan ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on Memorial Day, but ATMs and online banking work all day and night.
- If you need cash before the holiday, visit your branch on Friday or Saturday — many banks have Saturday hours.
- Mobile apps and online portals let you transfer money, pay bills, and check balances without waiting for a branch to reopen.
- Credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, so they will also be closed on Memorial Day.
- If you have an urgent banking need, some banks operate limited holiday hours — call ahead to confirm.
Which banks stay open on Memorial Day
Very few banks operate full service on Memorial Day. Some larger banks and credit unions may staff a single location for emergencies, but this is rare and not may provide. Your best bet is to call your specific branch the day before to ask whether they have holiday hours.
Online-only banks (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover) do not have physical branches, so there is no location to close. You can still use their apps and websites on Memorial Day exactly as you would on any other day. If you bank with an online-only institution, the holiday does not affect you.
How to get cash and handle banking on Memorial Day
Use an ATM to withdraw cash anytime on Memorial Day. Your bank's ATM will work whether the branch is open or not. If you need cash from a different bank's ATM, you may pay a fee, but the transaction will still go through.
Pay bills, transfer money between accounts, and check your balance through your bank's mobile app or website. These channels do not close for holidays. You can also set up automatic payments before the holiday so money moves on its own schedule.
If you need a cashier's check, money order, or other service that requires a teller, you will need to visit on Friday or wait until Tuesday. Plan ahead if you know you will need these services around the holiday.
Planning ahead for the Memorial Day weekend
Visit your branch on Friday to handle anything that requires a teller. Many banks also open on Saturday morning, typically from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. Check your bank's website or call to confirm Saturday hours at your location.
If you are traveling over the Memorial Day weekend, withdraw cash before you leave. ATMs in other states and countries may charge fees, and not all locations have reliable access to your bank's network.
Set up bill payments and transfers online before the holiday so you do not miss due dates. Most banks process online transactions submitted before midnight on Friday for posting on Tuesday.
What happens to deposits made on Memorial Day
If you deposit a check or cash into an ATM on Memorial Day, it will be received and processed, but the funds may not post to your account until Tuesday. Banks process deposits that arrive during closed hours as if they arrived on the next business day.
Mobile check deposit (taking a photo of a check through your app) works on Memorial Day and usually posts within one business day. This is often faster than using an ATM, especially for time-sensitive deposits.
Credit unions and Memorial Day hours
Credit unions observe the same federal holiday schedule as banks, so most will be closed on Memorial Day. However, some larger credit unions operate limited hours or have a single branch open for emergencies.
Call your credit union on Friday to ask about Memorial Day hours. If you are a member of a credit union network (like CO-OP or Allpoint), you may be able to use another credit union's ATM on the holiday, though fees may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Memorial Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit cards work at any merchant, ATM, or online retailer on Memorial Day. The bank branch being closed does not affect your card's ability to make purchases or withdraw cash from ATMs.
Will my direct deposit go through on Memorial Day?
Direct deposits scheduled for Memorial Day will post to your account on Tuesday instead, since banks do not process transactions on federal holidays. If you need the money on Monday, contact your employer to ask if they can send it earlier.
What if I need to report fraud on Memorial Day?
Call your bank's fraud line — most banks staff this 24/7 even on holidays. The number is usually on the back of your card or on your bank's website. Report the fraud immediately so your bank can freeze your account and begin an investigation.
Do online banks close on Memorial Day?
No. Banks that operate only online have no physical locations to close. You can access your account, transfer money, and manage your finances through their app or website on Memorial Day just as you would any other day.
Can I get a cashier's check on Memorial Day?
No. Cashier's checks require a teller, and branches are closed on Memorial Day. Plan ahead and get one on Friday or Saturday, or wait until Tuesday. Some banks can mail a cashier's check, which takes several business days.