The US observes 11 federal bank holidays per year

The United States has 11 official federal holidays that banks close for. These are days when most banks shut down, and you cannot make deposits, withdrawals, or conduct in-person transactions. The Federal Reserve and the US Treasury recognize these days, and banks follow the federal calendar.

The 11 holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Some banks may also close on the day after Thanksgiving, though this is not a federal holiday.

Not every bank closes on every federal holiday. Credit unions, online banks, and regional institutions may have different closure schedules. If you need to know whether your specific bank is closed on a particular day, check your bank's website or call the branch directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal banks close on 11 official holidays each year, and you cannot make in-person transactions on those days.
  • The holidays fall on specific dates: January 1, the third Monday in January, the third Monday in February, the last Monday in May, June 19, July 4, the first Monday in September, the second Monday in October, November 11, the fourth Thursday in November, and December 25.
  • Online banking and ATM transactions usually work on bank holidays, even though branch offices are closed.
  • Some banks close on additional days beyond the federal 11, so check your bank's holiday schedule before you need a service.

When each federal bank holiday falls

Federal bank holidays follow a fixed calendar, though some move to different dates depending on the day of the week. New Year's Day is always January 1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the third Monday in January. Presidents' Day is the third Monday in February. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May.

Juneteenth is June 19. Independence Day is July 4. Labor Day is the first Monday in September. Columbus Day is the second Monday in October. Veterans Day is November 11. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November. Christmas Day is December 25.

When a holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, banks typically close on Monday. This means the actual closure date can shift by one day depending on the year.

What you can and cannot do on bank holidays

You cannot walk into a bank branch and speak to a teller on a federal holiday. Deposit slips, withdrawals, loan applications, and account changes that require a person cannot happen in person. If you need cash, you must use an ATM before the holiday.

Most online banking platforms work normally on bank holidays. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills online, and set up automatic payments. ATM withdrawals and deposits (if your ATM accepts deposits) also work on holidays.

Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on a bank holiday usually process the next business day. If you send a wire on a Friday holiday, it may not move until Monday. Check with your bank about their specific timing if you are sending money on or near a holiday.

How bank holidays affect bill payments and transfers

If a bill payment is due on a bank holiday, the deadline usually shifts to the next business day. However, do not rely on this assumption—read your bill or loan agreement to confirm. Some creditors and lenders treat the holiday as part of the due date calculation, while others do not.

ACH transfers (the most common way to move money between banks) initiated on a bank holiday will not process until the next business day. If you schedule a payment for a holiday, it will sit in queue until the banks reopen. This can matter if you are trying to pay a bill by a specific date.

Automatic payments set up in advance usually process on schedule, even if the processing date is a bank holiday. The transaction may show as pending on the holiday but will clear the next business day. If you are unsure, contact your bank or the company you are paying to confirm their holiday schedule.

Differences between federal holidays and bank holidays

Federal holidays are days the US government recognizes and most federal offices close. Bank holidays are when banks specifically close. These overlap significantly—all 11 federal bank holidays are federal holidays—but the terms are not identical.

Some states and cities observe additional holidays that banks may or may not honor. For example, some states recognize Robert E. Lee's birthday or Cesar Chavez Day, but most national banks do not close for these. Regional banks and credit unions in those states may close, however.

Private employers are not required to give employees time off on federal holidays, though many do. Banks, as financial institutions regulated by the Federal Reserve, must close on the 11 federal bank holidays. If your bank is open on a day you thought was a holiday, it is likely a state or local holiday, not a federal one.

Planning around bank holidays

If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, do it before a bank holiday. ATMs work on holidays, but if you need a teller or have a question about your account, you will have to wait until the branch reopens.

If you are paying a bill by check or ACH transfer, send it at least one business day before the holiday. This gives the bank time to process it before the closure. If the due date falls on a holiday, contact the creditor to confirm whether they extend the deadline.

For wire transfers or time-sensitive payments, avoid initiating them on a Friday before a Monday holiday or on a Thursday before a Friday holiday. The delay can add days to the transaction. If you must move money urgently around a holiday, use a service that processes on weekends or call your bank to ask about expedited options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all banks close on the same 11 federal holidays?

Most banks close on all 11 federal holidays, but some regional banks, credit unions, and online banks may have different schedules. Check your bank's website or call ahead if you need to know whether a specific branch is open on a particular day.

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

Yes. ATMs and debit card transactions work on bank holidays because they do not require a bank employee to process them. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and make purchases with your card. Deposits at ATMs may work depending on your bank's equipment.

If a holiday falls on a weekend, when does the bank close?

If a holiday falls on Saturday, the bank closes on Friday. If it falls on Sunday, the bank closes on Monday. This is called an observed holiday. Your bank's website will show which day it is observing each year.

Will my automatic bill payment process on a bank holiday?

Automatic payments set up in advance usually process on schedule, even on a bank holiday. The transaction may show as pending on the holiday but will clear the next business day. If you are unsure, contact your bank or the company you are paying to confirm.

What happens if I try to deposit a check on a bank holiday?

If you deposit a check at an ATM on a bank holiday, it will be processed the next business day. If you deposit it at a branch, you cannot—the branch is closed. Mobile check deposits through your bank's app usually work on holidays and process the next business day.