Most banks close on President's Day, but some branches and online services stay available
President's Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday in February. Most major banks — including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, and US Bank — close their physical branches on this day. However, online banking, mobile apps, ATMs, and 24-hour customer service lines remain open at these institutions, so you can still transfer money, check balances, and pay bills without visiting a branch.
Smaller regional banks and credit unions follow the same pattern in most cases, though a few credit unions stay open on federal holidays. The safest approach is to call your specific branch the day before or check your bank's website, because some institutions in certain regions may have different schedules.
Stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, close on President's Day. This means stock trades, mutual fund transactions, and bond trades cannot settle until the following business day. If you need to move money between investment accounts, plan ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on President's Day at major national banks, but ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7.
- You can still deposit checks through mobile apps, transfer money between accounts, and pay bills online without visiting a branch.
- Stock markets close on President's Day, so any stock or mutual fund trades will not process until Tuesday.
- Credit unions and regional banks may have different schedules, so contact your institution directly if you are unsure.
- Wire transfers initiated on President's Day typically process the next business day, not immediately.
What you can and cannot do on President's Day
ATMs work normally on President's Day — you can withdraw cash, deposit checks through mobile deposit, and check your balance at any time. Online banking portals and mobile apps are also fully functional, so you can move money between your own accounts, pay bills to merchants, and set up transfers without any delay.
What you cannot do is speak to a teller, open a new account in person, or get a cashier's check from a branch. If you need a notary or a safe deposit box, those services are not available on the holiday. Wire transfers initiated on President's Day will not leave your account until the next business day, even if you submit them before midnight.
Loan payments and automatic bill payments scheduled for President's Day process normally — your bank will deduct the money on that date even though the branch is closed. If you have a payment due on President's Day and want to make sure it posts on time, set it up a day or two early through online banking.
How to learn about your specific bank is open
The fastest way is to search "[Your Bank Name] President's Day hours" or call your local branch directly. Most banks post holiday schedules on their websites by early February. You can also text your bank's customer service number or use their mobile app to find branch hours.
If you bank at a credit union, check your credit union's website or call the main office. Some credit unions, particularly those in rural areas or operated by government agencies, stay open on federal holidays. Others close like traditional banks. Do not assume — a five-minute call removes the guesswork.
For online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover, branches do not exist, so the holiday does not affect you at all. These institutions operate entirely through apps and websites, and customer service is available on most holidays.
Wire transfers and settlement delays on President's Day
If you initiate a wire transfer on President's Day, it will not leave your account until Tuesday morning. The Federal Reserve does not process wire transfers on federal holidays, so even if your bank's website accepts your request, the actual transfer waits until the next business day.
Incoming wire transfers that arrive on President's Day may not show up in your account until Tuesday, depending on when they enter the system. If you are expecting a wire transfer for a time-sensitive payment, plan for a one-day delay and contact the sender to confirm they sent it by Friday at the latest.
ACH transfers (the slower, free method used for most bill payments and direct deposits) also do not process on President's Day. If you schedule an ACH payment for the holiday, it will process on Tuesday instead. Payroll direct deposits scheduled for President's Day typically arrive on that date, but this depends on your employer's payroll system — confirm with your HR department if you are unsure.
Stock market closures and investment account impacts
The New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and all U.S. stock markets close on President's Day. This means you cannot buy or sell stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, or bonds on that day. Any trade order you place will not execute until Tuesday morning at the earliest.
If you hold investments through a brokerage account (Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab, E-Trade, etc.), you can still log in and view your portfolio on President's Day, but you cannot place trades. Market orders, limit orders, and stop-loss orders all wait until the market reopens on Tuesday.
Dividend payments and interest deposits scheduled for President's Day may be delayed by one business day. If you are expecting income from investments, check with your brokerage to confirm the exact timing.
Planning ahead to avoid delays
If you need cash on President's Day, withdraw it the Friday before. If you need to pay a bill or transfer money, do it through online banking before the holiday. If you are expecting a wire transfer or paycheck, assume it might arrive a day late and plan your budget accordingly.
For time-sensitive transactions — like paying rent, making a mortgage payment, or funding an investment purchase — complete them by Friday afternoon. Do not wait until Monday morning, because delays are common on federal holidays.
If you have a payment due on President's Day itself, set it up online a day or two early. Most banks process automatic payments on the scheduled date even when branches are closed, but confirming this with your bank removes doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on President's Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on President's Day just like any other day. The bank holiday only affects branch services and the Federal Reserve's processing of certain transactions like wire transfers and stock trades.
Will my direct deposit arrive on President's Day?
Usually yes, but it depends on your employer's payroll system. Most payroll deposits process on schedule even on federal holidays. If your payday falls on President's Day, contact your HR or payroll department to confirm the exact timing.
What if I need to deposit a check on President's Day?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app — photograph the front and back of the check and submit it. The deposit posts to your account on President's Day, though the funds may not be available until the next business day depending on your bank's policy.
Do credit card payments process on President's Day?
Yes. Automatic credit card payments scheduled for President's Day process normally. If you pay manually through your card issuer's website, the payment posts on that date even though the bank branch is closed.
Can I get a cashier's check on President's Day?
No. Cashier's checks are issued by tellers at branch locations, which are closed on President's Day. If you need one urgently, obtain it on Friday. Some banks may issue them through mail or special request, so call ahead if you have an unusual situation.