Most banks close on federal holidays, but some branches stay open and online banking never stops

Whether your bank is open on Monday depends on which Monday you mean. If it is a regular Monday, your bank will be open during normal business hours. If it is a Monday that falls on a federal holiday — like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, or Labor Day — most banks will be closed, though some branches in larger cities may stay open and all banks let you move money online or through ATMs.

The federal holidays when banks close are set by the Federal Reserve and do not change year to year. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or talk to someone in person on a holiday Monday, you should plan ahead. The good news is that online transfers, bill payments, and ATM withdrawals work on holidays just like any other day.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks close on federal holidays including Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Juneteenth, but online banking and ATMs work on those days.
  • Some large bank branches in major cities stay open on federal holidays, so calling your specific branch is the only way to know for sure.
  • Checks deposited on a holiday Monday will not clear until the next business day, even if you use mobile deposit or an ATM.
  • If you need cash or to speak to a banker on a holiday, plan to visit on Friday or the day before the holiday closes the bank.

Federal holidays when banks close

The Federal Reserve recognizes ten federal holidays each year when most banks do not open. These 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 Christmas Day (December 25).

If any of these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, banks observe the holiday on the nearest weekday instead. For example, if Christmas falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday. If New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday.

State banks and credit unions sometimes follow different holiday schedules than national banks. Some states observe holidays that the federal government does not, like Confederate Memorial Day in certain Southern states. Your bank's website or a phone call to your branch will show you which holidays they observe.

How to check if your specific bank is open

The fastest way to know if your bank is open on a particular Monday is to call the branch directly or check their website. Most banks post holiday hours on their homepage, and many let you search by branch location to see which ones stay open on holidays.

Large national banks like Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank often keep some branches open in major cities even on federal holidays, but this varies by location. A branch in downtown Manhattan might be open on Presidents' Day while a branch in a suburb closes. Your bank's app usually shows branch hours if you tap on the location.

If you cannot reach anyone by phone or find the information online, visit the branch in person before the holiday to ask. Staff can tell you whether they will be open and what services will be available.

What you can and cannot do on a holiday Monday

Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs work on federal holidays just like any other day. You can transfer money between your accounts, pay bills, send money to other people, and check your balance at any hour. You can also withdraw cash from an ATM or deposit checks using mobile deposit on your phone.

What you cannot do is speak to a banker in person, get a cashier's check, open a new account, or resolve problems that require human help. If your debit card is declined or you need to dispute a charge, you will have to wait until the bank reopens. Some banks have customer service phone lines that stay open on holidays, but they cannot process certain transactions.

Checks deposited on a holiday Monday — whether at an ATM, through mobile deposit, or at a branch that happens to be open — will not clear until the next business day. The bank does not process deposits on holidays, so a check you deposit on Monday will show as pending until Tuesday at the earliest.

Planning ahead if you need cash or in-person service

If you know you will need to withdraw cash, deposit a check, or speak to someone at your bank on a holiday Monday, visit on the Friday before or the day before the holiday. Most banks are open on the day before a federal holiday and can handle your needs then.

If you use a credit union, check whether they have shared branching agreements with other credit unions. Some credit unions let you use branches from other credit unions in their network on days when your own branch is closed, including holidays.

For emergencies — a lost debit card, a fraudulent charge, or a locked account — call your bank's customer service line. Many banks have 24/7 phone support even on holidays, and they can often resolve issues without you visiting a branch.

ATMs and online banking on holidays

ATMs are always available on federal holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (if your ATM has a deposit slot), transfer money, and check your balance. The only limit is your daily withdrawal limit, which your bank sets and does not change on holidays.

Mobile deposit — taking a photo of a check on your phone and sending it to your bank — works on holidays, but the check will not clear until the next business day. The same is true for checks deposited at an ATM. Your bank receives the image on the holiday but does not process it until the next business day.

Bill payments scheduled through your bank's website or app will go through on the date you set, even if that date is a holiday. If you schedule a payment for a holiday Monday, it will process that day and reach the recipient according to the delivery method you chose (usually one to three business days).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bank be open the Monday after Thanksgiving?

Yes. The Monday after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday, so banks are open during normal business hours. Only the federal holidays listed by the Federal Reserve close banks.

Can I use my debit card on a holiday when the bank is closed?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM on holidays. The bank being closed does not affect your ability to spend money or withdraw cash.

What happens if I deposit a check on a holiday Monday?

The check will not clear until the next business day, even if you deposit it at an ATM or through mobile deposit. The bank does not process deposits on federal holidays.

Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?

Most credit unions close on federal holidays, but some observe different schedules. Call your credit union or check their website to confirm which holidays they observe.

Can I pay bills online on a federal holiday?

Yes. Online bill payments work on holidays. If you schedule a payment for a holiday, it will process that day and reach the recipient according to the delivery method you chose.