Most banks are closed the day after Thanksgiving
The day after Thanksgiving—the Friday after the fourth Thursday in November—is not a federal banking holiday, but most major banks close anyway. The holiday itself (Thanksgiving Day) is the federal closure. Banks treat the Friday after as an unofficial extension and shut their branches, though some keep limited services running online or through ATMs.
This matters because you cannot walk into a branch, deposit checks, or speak to a teller that day. If you need to move money or resolve an account issue before the weekend, you have to do it on Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday) or wait until Monday.
The exact closure depends on your bank. Some regional banks and credit unions stay open on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Call your branch directly or check your bank's website the week before to confirm their specific schedule—do not assume based on what another bank does.
Key Takeaways
- Most major banks close their branches the day after Thanksgiving, though ATMs and online banking usually stay available.
- The Friday after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday, but banks treat it as an unofficial holiday closure.
- Regional banks and credit unions may have different hours, so contact your specific bank before the holiday week.
- If you need to handle banking in person, Wednesday before Thanksgiving is your last chance until Monday.
- Wire transfers, bill payments, and account transfers can usually be done online or through ATMs even when branches are closed.
Which banks close and which stay open
The major national banks—Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank—all close their branches on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This is standard practice across their networks, though a few branches in high-traffic areas (airports, downtown financial districts) may have limited hours.
Credit unions vary widely. Some close for the full day, others open for a few hours in the morning, and a small number stay open regular hours. Your credit union's policy depends on its size and location. Call ahead rather than showing up expecting service.
Online banks (Ally, Charles Schwab, Discover) do not have physical branches, so the closure does not affect you directly. You can still transfer money, pay bills, and manage your account from your phone or computer.
What you can still do when branches are closed
ATMs work 24/7, so you can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your bank has mobile deposit or ATM check deposit), and check your balance. Mobile deposit—taking a photo of a check through your bank's app—works on closed days and usually posts by the next business day.
Online banking portals and mobile apps let you transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, send money to other people, and set up recurring payments. These transactions process normally even though no teller is working.
Wire transfers can be initiated online or through your app on most banks' platforms, though some banks require a phone call to a customer service line for large transfers. Check your bank's website to see whether wires can be sent through your app or whether you need to call.
When to handle banking before the holiday
If you need to deposit a physical check, open a new account, dispute a transaction in person, or speak to a banker about a loan, do it on Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve). Branches are typically open regular hours that day, though they may close earlier than usual—check your bank's website.
Wednesday is also the busiest banking day of the holiday week. Arrive early or use your lunch break to avoid long lines. If you can handle your task online or through an ATM, do that instead and save the branch visit for something that truly requires a teller.
If your issue can wait, Monday after the holiday is a better time to visit. Fewer people are in branches, wait times are shorter, and you have the full week to resolve anything that comes up.
How to find your bank's specific hours
Your bank's website has a branch locator tool. Enter your zip code or address, click on your branch, and the hours for that location appear—usually broken down by day of the week. This is the most reliable source because individual branches sometimes have different hours than the main network.
Call your branch directly at the number on your debit card or your bank's main customer service line. Ask specifically about Friday hours after Thanksgiving. A phone call takes two minutes and removes all doubt.
Do this the week before Thanksgiving, not on Thursday or Friday. Customer service lines are overwhelmed during the holiday week, and you may wait on hold longer than necessary.
Planning ahead for holiday banking
If you receive a paycheck on Friday after Thanksgiving, deposit it Wednesday or use mobile deposit Thursday morning. Checks deposited after Thursday may not post until the following Tuesday, which matters if you have bills due Friday or over the weekend.
If you need cash for the weekend, withdraw it Wednesday. ATMs work around the clock, but if your ATM is out of service or you hit your daily withdrawal limit, you cannot get more cash until Monday.
Set up bill payments and transfers a day or two before the holiday rather than waiting until the last minute. Most banks process these overnight, so Wednesday transactions post by Friday even if branches are closed.
What happens if you need banking on Friday
If an urgent issue comes up on Friday after Thanksgiving—a fraudulent charge, a locked account, a payment that did not go through—call your bank's customer service line. Most banks staff phone support 24/7, even on holidays. A representative can often resolve the issue over the phone or flag it for the branch to handle Monday morning.
If your debit card is lost or stolen, call the number on the back of your card immediately. Your bank can freeze the card and issue a replacement, which takes a few business days. You can still access cash through ATMs using your PIN while you wait for the new card.
For non-urgent issues, send a secure message through your online banking portal or your bank's app. These messages are monitored during business hours, and you will get a response by Monday or Tuesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check on Friday after Thanksgiving if my bank is closed?
Yes, if your bank offers mobile deposit through its app. Take a photo of the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. The deposit usually posts by the next business day (Monday). If your bank has ATM check deposit, you can also use that 24/7.
Will my paycheck deposit on Friday if the bank is closed?
If your employer deposits directly to your account, it posts automatically on payday regardless of whether the bank is open. Direct deposit does not depend on branch hours. If you receive a paper check, deposit it Wednesday or use mobile deposit Thursday to make sure it clears by Friday.
Are credit unions open the day after Thanksgiving?
Some are, some are not. Credit union hours vary by location and size. Call your credit union directly or check its website to confirm Friday hours. Do not assume it follows the same schedule as banks in your area.
What if I need to wire money on Friday after Thanksgiving?
Most banks let you initiate wire transfers through their online banking platform or app on closed days. The wire processes, but it may not reach the recipient until Monday if the receiving bank is also closed. For time-sensitive transfers, send it Wednesday or Thursday instead.
Can I use my debit card to buy things if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at stores, restaurants, and ATMs regardless of whether your bank's branches are open. Branch closures do not affect your ability to spend money or withdraw cash.