Most banks close on federal holidays, weekends, and some state holidays
If your bank was closed today, the most common reason is a federal holiday. The Federal Reserve observes 11 federal holidays each year when most banks shut down entirely — New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. On these days, you cannot visit a branch, use drive-through services, or reach customer service by phone.
Banks also close on Saturdays and Sundays, though hours vary by branch and location. Some branches in urban areas or shopping centers stay open on Saturday mornings. A few banks operate limited Sunday hours, but this is rare. If you needed to visit a branch today and it was the weekend, that is why you found it closed.
State holidays can also close banks, though this varies by state. For example, some states observe Robert E. Lee's birthday or Cesar Chavez Day, while others do not. If today was a state holiday in your area, your bank may have closed even though it was not a federal holiday.
Key Takeaways
- Federal holidays close most bank branches and phone lines, though online banking and ATMs usually stay open.
- You can check your bank's holiday schedule on their website or by calling the branch directly before you need to visit.
- ATMs and mobile banking work on holidays and weekends, so you can still withdraw cash or transfer money without visiting a branch.
- If you need to reach customer service on a holiday, try email or chat — some banks staff these channels even when branches are closed.
How to learn about your bank is open today
The fastest way is to call your branch directly. Most banks list the phone number on their debit card, on your statements, or on their website. When you call, you will hear an automated message that tells you today's hours. If the branch is closed, the message usually says so at the start.
You can also check your bank's website. Most banks have a branch locator tool where you enter your zip code and see hours for nearby locations. Some sites show whether the branch is open right now. If you use mobile banking, the app often displays branch hours and holiday closures on the main screen.
If you are not sure whether today is a federal holiday, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management publishes the full federal holiday calendar each year. You can search for it online and see the exact dates. State holiday calendars are usually posted on your state government's website.
What you can still do when the branch is closed
ATMs work 24 hours a day, even on holidays and weekends. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), transfer money between accounts, and check your balance. ATM transactions usually process the same day or the next business day, depending on the time you made the transaction.
Mobile banking and online banking never close. You can log in to your bank's app or website at any time to pay bills, transfer money, deposit checks by phone camera, send wire transfers, or check your balance. These transactions may not process until the next business day if you submit them after hours or on a weekend, but you can still initiate them.
Some banks offer customer service through email or chat during hours when branches are closed. This is less common than phone support, but worth checking if you have a question that cannot wait. Email responses usually come within 24 hours on business days.
When deposits and transfers post after a holiday
If you deposited a check or made a transfer on a holiday or weekend, it will not process until the next business day. For example, if you deposited a check on Friday evening or Saturday, it will not post until Monday. If Monday is a federal holiday, it will not post until Tuesday.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers follow the same rule. The Federal Reserve does not process these on weekends or federal holidays, so they sit in a queue until the next business day. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, do not send it on a Friday or before a holiday.
Some banks credit deposits faster than others. A few banks post checks the same business day if you deposit them early enough. Check your bank's deposit policy on their website or ask a teller the next time you visit.
Planning ahead for bank closures
If you know you will need cash or need to make a transaction, do it before a holiday or weekend. Withdraw cash from an ATM on Friday if you know Monday is a holiday. Pay bills online on Thursday if you need them to post by Monday. This prevents you from being caught without access to money.
Mark federal holidays on your calendar if you manage bills or payroll. The federal holiday calendar does not change year to year — the same holidays close banks every year. Knowing these dates in advance means you can plan around them.
If your bank has multiple branches, check whether they all have the same hours. Some larger branches in downtown areas may have different hours than smaller suburban branches. The branch locator tool on your bank's website will show you which branches are closest and their specific hours.
What to do if you need money on a holiday
Use an ATM. This is the only way to get cash from your bank on a holiday. If your bank's ATM is not near you, you can use an ATM from another bank, though you may pay a fee ($1 to $3 is typical). Some banks reimburse out-of-network ATM fees if you use them a certain number of times per month.
If you need to make a payment and cannot wait until the branch reopens, use online or mobile banking. Most bills can be paid this way, and the payment will be queued to process the next business day. If the bill has a due date on the holiday, contact the company and explain that you are paying as soon as the bank reopens.
If you need to speak to someone urgently, try calling the bank's main customer service line rather than the branch. Some banks staff a national customer service center even on holidays, though wait times are usually longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ATMs work on federal holidays?
Yes. ATMs operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including all federal holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and transfer money at any time, though some transactions may not process until the next business day.
Will my direct deposit post if today is a holiday?
No. Direct deposits from employers and government agencies do not post on federal holidays or weekends. If today is a holiday, your deposit will post on the next business day. If today is Friday and Monday is a holiday, your deposit will post on Tuesday.
Can I pay a bill online if the bank is closed?
Yes. Online and mobile banking work 24 hours a day. You can submit a bill payment at any time, but it will not process until the next business day if you submit it after hours or on a weekend or holiday.
What if I need to speak to someone and the branch is closed?
Call the bank's main customer service number (usually on the back of your debit card). Some banks staff phone lines on holidays, though wait times are longer. Email and chat support may also be available, though responses take longer on holidays.
How do I know which holidays my bank observes?
Check your bank's website for a holiday schedule, or call your branch and ask. Most banks observe all 11 federal holidays. Some also observe state holidays, which varies by location. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management publishes the federal holiday calendar online.