Banks close on federal holidays, weekends, and sometimes for local observances

Your bank is closed today because it is a federal holiday, a weekend, or occasionally a state or local holiday that your specific bank observes. Banks do not operate on the same schedule as retail stores — they follow a calendar set by the Federal Reserve and their own corporate policies. The most common closure days are Saturdays, Sundays, and the 11 federal holidays recognized across the United States.

If you need to know whether your bank is open right now, the fastest way is to call the branch directly or check your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display their hours prominently on the homepage, and many show whether a specific branch is open today. You can also search "[your bank name] hours today" to see the result in seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks close on all 11 federal holidays, including New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
  • Most banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, though some branches or online services may offer limited weekend hours.
  • A few states observe additional holidays that some banks honor, so closure dates can vary by location and bank.
  • You can still access your money on bank holidays through ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps — you just cannot visit a branch or speak to a teller.

The 11 federal holidays when banks close

Banks close on these dates every year: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday instead. When it falls on a Sunday, they close on Monday. This shift means you may see a bank closure on a day that is not the actual holiday — for example, if Christmas falls on a Sunday, banks typically close on Monday, December 26.

State and local holidays that affect some banks

A handful of states observe additional holidays that some banks honor. For example, some banks in Hawaii close on Statehood Day (August 21), and some in South Carolina close on Confederate Memorial Day. Banks in Alaska may close on Seward's Day (March 26). These closures are not universal — they depend on where the bank is headquartered and which states it operates in.

If you bank with a regional or local institution, check their holiday calendar on their website. National banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo typically follow only the 11 federal holidays, but smaller regional banks may add one or two more.

What you can still do when the branch is closed

Bank closures only affect in-person services. You can withdraw cash from any ATM that your bank operates or that is part of your bank's network — these run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills, and check your balance through your bank's website or mobile app at any time.

If you need to deposit a check, most banks let you photograph it with your phone and submit it through the mobile app, even on a holiday. The deposit will be processed when the bank reopens. You cannot speak to a teller or conduct business that requires a person, but you can handle most routine transactions on your own.

Planning ahead for bank closures

If you know you need cash or need to complete a transaction that requires a teller, plan for it before the holiday. Withdraw money a day or two early, or use an ATM. If you need to deposit a large check or conduct business that requires a signature, do it before the branch closes.

For refunds, payments, or transfers that depend on bank processing, remember that anything you submit on a holiday will not be processed until the next business day. If you are waiting for a refund or payment to arrive, and today is a holiday, the timeline starts when the bank reopens, not today.

How to find your bank's exact hours

The most reliable way to check is to visit your bank's official website and look for "branch hours" or "locations." Enter your zip code or the branch name, and you will see today's hours and the full weekly schedule. Most banks also list their holiday calendar on this same page.

You can also call your branch directly — the phone number is usually on your debit card or bank statements. If you use a mobile app, open it and look for a "locations" or "find a branch" section. Many apps show whether your nearest branch is open right now.

Why banks observe these specific holidays

Banks close on federal holidays because the Federal Reserve, which oversees the banking system, is closed on those days. The Federal Reserve does not process payments or clear checks on federal holidays, so banks cannot conduct the back-end work that makes deposits and transfers possible. This is why a deposit you make on a holiday does not post until the next business day.

Weekends are a separate matter — banks have historically closed on Saturdays and Sundays as a standard business practice, and that tradition continues even though technology now makes 24-hour banking possible. Some online banks and credit unions offer Saturday hours or limited Sunday service, but most traditional brick-and-branch banks do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs and debit cards work 24 hours a day, even on holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. The only thing you cannot do is visit a branch or speak to a teller.

If I deposit a check on a holiday, when will it post?

The deposit will not be processed until the next business day after the bank reopens. If you deposit on a Friday holiday, the check will not post until Monday. If you use mobile deposit (photographing the check with your phone), the timeline is the same — processing begins when the bank reopens.

Do online banks close on holidays?

Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not close in the traditional sense. However, they still follow Federal Reserve holidays because they cannot process certain transactions when the Fed is closed. You can access your account and move money between your own accounts, but transfers to other banks may be delayed.

What if I need cash and today is a holiday?

Use an ATM. Your bank's ATMs operate 24 hours a day, and you can withdraw cash even if the branch is closed. If you do not have an ATM nearby, look for one in your bank's network or a partner network — most banks are part of a shared ATM system that lets you use other banks' machines without a fee.

Are credit unions closed on the same days as banks?

Most credit unions follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks, but some observe different holidays or have different weekend hours. Check your credit union's website or call to confirm their holiday calendar, as it can vary by location and institution.