Most banks close on Veterans Day, November 11, but the exact impact on your account depends on when that date falls and what you need to do

Veterans Day is a federal holiday, which means the Federal Reserve and most banks observe it as a day off. If November 11 falls on a weekday, your bank will be closed that day — no teller service, no in-person transactions, and no ATM deposits. Online banking and transfers usually work normally, but any transaction that requires a person to process it (like a check deposit through a teller) will wait until the next business day.

If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, banks close on the nearest weekday instead. When November 11 is a Saturday, most banks close on Friday, November 10. When it is a Sunday, they close on Monday, November 12. This matters because it changes which day you lose access to teller service.

Not every bank follows federal holidays the same way. Some credit unions and smaller regional banks may stay open on Veterans Day, so check with your specific bank before you count on being closed. The safest move is to call your branch or check their website a few days before November 11.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal banks close on Veterans Day (November 11) when it falls on a weekday, and on the nearest weekday if it falls on a weekend.
  • ATMs and online banking usually work on Veterans Day, but teller services and check deposits do not.
  • Any transaction that needs a person to process it will be delayed until the next business day.
  • Credit unions and smaller banks may have different hours, so contact your bank directly to confirm.
  • Plan ahead if you need cash, want to deposit checks, or have time-sensitive transactions scheduled.

What you can and cannot do when your bank is closed

ATMs stay open on Veterans Day because they are machines, not staffed locations. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using an ATM at any hour. If you use another bank's ATM, you may pay a fee, but the transaction will go through.

Online banking portals and mobile apps work normally on Veterans Day. You can move money between accounts, pay bills, and set up transfers from your phone or computer. The transfer may not post until the next business day, but you can start it on the holiday itself.

Teller services stop completely. You cannot deposit checks in person, withdraw large amounts of cash (some banks require teller approval), open new accounts, or get a cashier's check. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile check deposit through your bank's app if it offers that feature — the photo will be captured on Veterans Day, but the check will clear the next business day.

Wire transfers and ACH transfers (the electronic system most banks use for moving money between institutions) may be delayed. The Federal Reserve does not process these on federal holidays, so any transfer you start on Veterans Day will not move until November 12 or later, depending on the day of the week.

Planning ahead if you need cash or to deposit checks

If you know you will need cash on or around Veterans Day, withdraw it the day before. ATMs work on the holiday, but if you need a large amount or prefer to get it from a teller, do not wait until November 11.

Check deposits should go in before Veterans Day if you need them to clear quickly. Mobile check deposit works on the holiday itself, but the check will not clear until the next business day anyway. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit and you need the money to post by a certain date, deposit the check on November 10 or earlier.

If you are expecting a direct deposit (like a paycheck or government payment) to arrive on or around Veterans Day, it may be delayed by a day. Direct deposits are processed by the Federal Reserve, which does not work on federal holidays. A deposit scheduled for November 11 will usually arrive on November 12 instead. Check with your employer or the agency sending the payment to confirm the exact timing.

Wire transfers and time-sensitive transactions

Wire transfers do not process on Veterans Day. If you send a wire on November 11, it will sit in your bank's queue until November 12 at the earliest. If November 11 is a Friday, your wire will not move until Monday, November 14. Plan accordingly if you have a deadline — send wires at least one business day early.

ACH transfers (the system used for most bill payments and transfers between banks) also pause on federal holidays. A payment you schedule for November 11 will process on November 12. If you are paying a bill with an ACH transfer and the due date is November 11 or 12, send it earlier in the week to be safe.

Cashier's checks and certified checks require a teller, so you cannot get them on Veterans Day. If you need one, order it before November 10. Some banks can mail them to you or hold them for pickup the next business day if you call ahead.

What happens to automatic payments and scheduled transfers

Automatic bill payments and recurring transfers you have already set up will pause on Veterans Day. If a payment is scheduled for November 11, it will process on November 12 instead. This usually does not cause a problem, but if the due date is November 11, contact the company you are paying to let them know the payment will arrive a day late.

Loan payments, mortgage payments, and insurance premiums that are set to auto-pay on November 11 will go through on November 12. Most companies build in a grace period, so a one-day delay will not trigger a late fee. If you are worried, call the company and ask whether they consider a payment on November 12 to be on time.

Standing orders and recurring transfers between your own accounts will also delay by one day. This is usually harmless, but if you rely on a transfer to move money into a checking account before a bill is due, schedule it for November 10 instead.

How to find your bank's specific Veterans Day hours

Call your bank's main customer service line and ask about Veterans Day hours. Most banks have a recorded message that lists holiday closures. You can also visit your bank's website — most post holiday hours in the footer or under a "Locations" or "Hours" section.

If you bank at a credit union, check their website or call their main office. Credit unions are not required to close on federal holidays, so some stay open on Veterans Day. Knowing your credit union's specific policy saves you a trip.

For online-only banks (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover), customer service is usually available on Veterans Day, but account transfers and wire processing will still be delayed because they use the Federal Reserve system. Check the bank's website for their specific holiday policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day if the bank is closed?

Yes. Debit cards work at any merchant or ATM on Veterans Day because the transaction is processed by the card network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), not by your bank's tellers. You can shop, pay bills, and withdraw cash from ATMs without any problem.

Will my paycheck deposit be delayed if it arrives on Veterans Day?

Yes, usually by one day. Direct deposits are processed by the Federal Reserve, which does not work on federal holidays. A deposit scheduled for November 11 will arrive on November 12. If November 11 is a Friday, it will arrive on Monday, November 14. Check with your employer about the exact timing.

What if I need to deposit a check on Veterans Day?

Use mobile check deposit through your bank's app if it is available. Take a photo of the front and back of the check, and submit it through the app. The image will be captured on Veterans Day, but the check will not clear until the next business day. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, wait until November 12.

Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?

Most do, but not all. Credit unions are not required to close on federal holidays. Call your credit union or check their website to find out whether they will be open on November 11. Some stay open with reduced hours.

Will my automatic bill payment go through on Veterans Day?

No. Automatic payments scheduled for November 11 will process on November 12 instead. If the bill is due on November 11, contact the company to let them know it will arrive a day late. Most companies accept payments on November 12 without penalty.