U.S. federal bank holidays and what they mean for your account

Banks in the United States close on 10 federal holidays each year. On these days, you cannot visit a branch, call customer service, or process certain transactions in real time. The Federal Reserve also stops processing payments, which means transfers and bill payments you schedule may not go through until the next business day.

The 10 federal holidays when banks close are: 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), and Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November). Christmas Day (December 25) is also a federal holiday when banks close.

Some banks may also close on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), though this is not a federal holiday. Check with your specific bank to see if they observe it.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks close on 10 federal holidays plus Christmas, meaning no branch access and no real-time payment processing on those days.
  • Payments you schedule to post on a holiday will process the next business day instead, so plan ahead if you have bills due around these dates.
  • ATM withdrawals and online banking work on holidays, but transfers between banks and ACH payments do not clear until the next business day.
  • If a holiday falls on a weekend, banks typically close on the nearest weekday — usually the Friday before or Monday after.

How holidays affect bill payments and transfers

When you schedule a bill payment or bank transfer to go out on a holiday, the transaction sits in a queue until the next business day. This matters most if you have a bill due on or near a holiday. If the due date falls on a holiday, your payment may arrive late even if you scheduled it days in advance.

The safest approach is to schedule payments at least two business days before the due date. If a holiday falls between your payment date and the due date, add an extra day. For example, if you schedule a payment on Thursday and Friday is a holiday, the payment will not process until Monday — so make sure your bill is not due on Friday or Monday.

ACH transfers (the standard way money moves between bank accounts) and wire transfers both stop processing on federal holidays. Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or PayPal may show the money as sent, but the actual bank transfer will not complete until the next business day.

What still works on bank holidays

ATM withdrawals work on holidays because ATMs are machines, not staffed services. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks at an ATM on any day, including holidays.

Online banking portals and mobile apps also stay open. You can log in, view your account, and schedule future transactions. What you cannot do is have those transactions process in real time — they will queue until the next business day.

Debit card purchases at stores and online retailers process normally on holidays. The merchant may not see the charge clear from your bank immediately, but the transaction itself goes through.

When holidays fall on weekends

If a federal holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, banks close on the nearest weekday instead. If the holiday is on a Saturday, banks close on Friday. If it is on a Sunday, banks close on Monday. This is called an "observed" holiday.

For example, if Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday, July 3. If it falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday, July 5. The Federal Reserve publishes the observed holiday schedule each year, and your bank will post it on their website.

Planning around holidays for time-sensitive payments

If you have a payment due around a holiday, schedule it at least two business days early. Count only weekdays — do not count the holiday itself or any weekend days in between.

For loan payments, mortgage payments, and other obligations with strict due dates, contact your lender before the holiday to ask whether they accept early payments without penalty. Most do, and paying early removes the risk of a late fee if the holiday delays processing.

If you are expecting a deposit (paycheck, tax refund, insurance payment), remember that the bank will not process it on a holiday. If the deposit is scheduled to arrive on a holiday, it will land the next business day instead. Plan your cash flow accordingly.

State and regional holidays that may affect some banks

Some states observe additional holidays that federal banks do not. For example, some banks in Texas close on Texas Independence Day (March 2), and some banks in Hawaii close on Kamehameha Day (June 11). If you bank with a regional or state-chartered bank, check their holiday schedule on their website.

Credit unions may also observe different holidays than national banks. If you use a credit union, ask them directly which days they close.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my payment be late if I schedule it the day before a holiday?

It depends on when the payment is due. If you schedule it on Thursday and Friday is a holiday, the payment will not process until Monday. If your bill is due on Friday, it will be late. Schedule payments at least two business days before the due date to be safe.

Can I withdraw money from my bank on a holiday?

Yes, if you use an ATM. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance at an ATM on any day, including holidays. You cannot visit a branch or speak to a teller on a holiday.

Do online banks close on holidays?

Online banks do not have physical branches, so you can log in and view your account on holidays. However, the Federal Reserve still does not process transfers and ACH payments on holidays, so those transactions will not clear until the next business day.

What happens if a holiday falls on a weekend?

Banks close on the nearest weekday instead. If the holiday is on Saturday, they close Friday. If it is on Sunday, they close Monday. Check your bank's website for the observed holiday date.

Do credit card payments process on bank holidays?

Credit card payments you schedule online may show as sent, but they will not actually clear from your bank until the next business day. Schedule payments at least two business days before the due date to avoid late fees.