What Bank Holidays Are and Why They Matter
Bank holidays are days when most U.S. banks close and do not process transactions. On these days, you cannot visit a branch, use ATMs at some banks, or expect deposits and transfers to go through. The federal government designates these holidays, but individual banks decide whether to observe all of them or only some. This means your bank might be open on a day when another bank is closed.
The reason this matters is timing: if you send a payment or deposit on a bank holiday, it will not post until the next business day. If you are paying a bill that is due on a holiday, the payment may arrive late unless you sent it days earlier. Knowing which days your bank observes prevents missed deadlines and unexpected fees.
Key Takeaways
- The federal government designates 10 or 11 bank holidays per year, but your bank chooses which ones to observe.
- Deposits and transfers initiated on a bank holiday will not process until the next business day.
- Bill payments due on a bank holiday should be sent at least one business day earlier to arrive on time.
- You can contact your bank directly or check its website to see which holidays it observes and whether branches and ATMs will be staffed.
The Federal Bank Holidays Your Bank Might Observe
The U.S. federal government recognizes these holidays, and most banks close on all or most of them:
| Holiday | Date (or Rule) |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Third Monday in January |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | 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 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
Some banks also close on the day after Thanksgiving (often called Black Friday). A few regional banks observe additional state holidays. Check your bank's website or call the branch to confirm which of these days your bank will be closed.
How Bank Holidays Affect Deposits and Transfers
When you deposit a check or initiate a transfer on a bank holiday, the transaction enters a queue but does not process until the next business day. This delay can affect when funds become available in your account. For example, if you deposit a check on a Friday that is a bank holiday, the deposit will not process until the following Monday, and the funds may not be available until Tuesday or later, depending on your bank's hold policy.
Electronic transfers (ACH transfers, wire transfers, and peer-to-peer payments) also pause on bank holidays. If you send money via your bank's app on a holiday, the transfer will not leave your account until the next business day. This means if you are trying to pay a bill due on the holiday itself, the payment will arrive late.
Some banks offer 24-hour ATM access even on holidays, so you can withdraw cash. However, deposits made at an ATM on a bank holiday typically will not post until the next business day, just like branch deposits.
Planning Bill Payments Around Bank Holidays
If a bill is due on a bank holiday, send your payment at least one business day before the holiday. For example, if a bill is due on Monday, July 4 (Independence Day), send the payment on Friday, July 1. This gives your bank time to process the payment before the holiday and ensures it reaches the creditor on time.
If you use your bank's bill pay service, the bank will tell you the cutoff time for same-day processing. Payments submitted after that time may not process until the next day. On a day before a bank holiday, the cutoff time may be earlier than usual, so check before you submit.
For automatic payments (recurring bills that debit your account on a set date), the payment will still go through on the due date even if it falls on a bank holiday. The bank processes automatic payments on schedule regardless of holidays. However, if the due date falls on a weekend or holiday and your bank does not process on that day, the payment may go through on the next business day instead.
What Stays Open on Bank Holidays
Online banking platforms remain available 24/7, even on bank holidays. You can log in, check your balance, and view transactions. However, any transaction you initiate (transfer, payment, deposit via mobile app) will not process until the next business day.
ATMs at your bank's branches and partner networks typically stay open, so you can withdraw cash. Some banks charge a fee for ATM withdrawals on holidays if you use an out-of-network machine. Deposits made at an ATM will be held until the next business day for processing.
Customer service phone lines may be staffed or closed depending on your bank. Large national banks often have holiday customer service available; smaller or regional banks may not. Check your bank's website before the holiday to see whether phone support will be available.
How to Find Your Bank's Holiday Schedule
Your bank publishes its holiday schedule on its website, usually under a section labeled "Hours" or "Holiday Hours." You can also call your branch or visit in person to ask which holidays it observes. Some banks send email or text reminders before major holidays.
If you bank with a large national bank (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank), it almost certainly observes all 10 federal holidays plus Thanksgiving Day. Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different schedules, so do not assume.
Write down or bookmark the dates your bank observes so you can plan bill payments and transfers accordingly. This is especially important if you have bills due near major holidays like Christmas or New Year's Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my automatic bill payment go through on a bank holiday?
Yes, automatic payments scheduled for a specific date will process on that date even if it is a bank holiday. However, if the holiday falls on a weekend, the payment may process on the next business day instead. Check your bank's policy or contact customer service to confirm the exact timing.
Can I withdraw money from an ATM on a bank holiday?
Most ATMs remain available 24/7, including on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, but deposits made at an ATM on a holiday will not post to your account until the next business day. Some out-of-network ATMs may charge a fee on holidays.
If I send a wire transfer on a bank holiday, when will it arrive?
Wire transfers initiated on a bank holiday will not process until the next business day. The receiving bank will then process it on that day. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, send the wire at least one business day before that date.
Do online banks observe bank holidays?
Online banks (banks with no physical branches) typically do not close on bank holidays because they have no branches to staff. However, they may still delay processing of certain transactions like check deposits or ACH transfers. Check your online bank's policy on its website.
What happens if a bill is due on Christmas and I pay it on Christmas Day?
Your payment will not process until the next business day (December 26). If the bill is due on December 25, your payment will be late. Send the payment on December 24 or earlier to ensure it arrives on time.