It’s a holiday weekend, and amidst the flurry of activities, from family gatherings to last-minute errands, banking might be the last thing on your mind. However, if you need to access your funds, knowing whether banks are open is crucial. It’s easy to lose track of bank holidays, and you certainly don’t want to be caught off guard when you need to manage your finances.
This guide will clarify when banks typically close for holidays in the U.S., based on the Federal Reserve System schedule, and provide alternative solutions for accessing your money when branches are closed.
Understanding Federal Bank Holidays
Banks in the United States, including both national and local institutions, generally close on federal holidays. These holidays are observed across the nation, and banks publish holiday schedules on their websites to help customers plan accordingly.
Many major national banks provide holiday lists within the FAQ or customer service sections of their websites. Banks like TD Bank and Regions Bank even have dedicated pages outlining their specific bank holiday schedules. During these holidays, physical bank branches will either close entirely or operate with reduced hours. It’s also worth noting that customer service hours can be affected by bank holidays, depending on your specific bank.
If you can’t find a holiday schedule online for your bank, the most reliable approach is to contact your local branch directly to confirm their holiday observance.
Online banks, while lacking physical branches, are also impacted by bank holidays. While customer service for online banks usually remains available, financial transactions may experience delays. When an online bank observes a holiday, transaction processing typically waits until the next business day. Capital One 360, for example, maintains customer service throughout most holidays, with exceptions for the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The majority of financial institutions adhere to the Federal Reserve System’s holiday schedule. Here’s the schedule for 2025:
| Holiday | 2025 Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 (Wednesday) |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | January 20 (Monday) |
| Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) | February 17 (Monday) |
| Memorial Day | May 26 (Monday) |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 (Thursday) |
| Independence Day | July 4 (Friday) |
| Labor Day | September 1 (Monday) |
| Columbus Day | October 13 (Monday) |
| Veterans Day | November 11 (Tuesday) |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 27 (Thursday) |
| Christmas Day | December 25 (Thursday) |
It’s important to note the weekend rule: if a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks typically remain open the preceding Friday. Conversely, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, banks will usually be closed the following Monday.
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Bank Transaction Processing on Holidays
Generally, banking transactions, whether with online or brick-and-mortar banks, are not processed on bank holidays.
Online banks like Ally Bank explicitly state that financial transactions are not processed on federal holidays. Similarly, the online banking platform Chime provides a list of holidays that affect direct deposit processing times.
Traditional banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America also delay transaction processing until the next business day following a bank holiday. Business days are defined as weekdays when bank branches are open for regular operations.
Therefore, if you are expecting a direct deposit or need to make time-sensitive transactions, it’s prudent to plan ahead, anticipating potential delays due to bank holidays.
Accessing Cash When Banks Are Closed
While bank branches are closed on federal holidays, ATMs remain operational. If you have a debit or ATM card, you can still withdraw cash from ATMs during bank holidays. This provides a convenient way to access funds even when banks are officially closed.
For those who are away from their usual banking locations, many stores offer a cash-back option when you use your debit card for purchases. This can be a useful alternative if you need cash and cannot easily find a fee-free ATM in your network, helping you avoid out-of-network ATM fees.
Cashing Checks During Bank Holidays
Receiving a personal check during a bank holiday might seem inconvenient, but there are methods to access those funds relatively quickly.
Many retail stores offer check-cashing services, providing immediate access to your money for a fee. This can be a practical solution when banks are closed.
Some ATMs also offer check cashing or deposit functionalities. However, funds from check deposits, even at ATMs, may not be immediately available. If your bank’s ATM network doesn’t support check cashing, you can utilize mobile or online banking to deposit the check remotely. After depositing the check electronically, you can then withdraw cash from an ATM. Keep in mind that funds from check deposits, especially personal checks, are typically subject to hold periods and might not be available until the next business day or two. This option is best suited if you prioritize getting the check deposited safely and can wait a short period for the funds to become fully accessible.
Federal vs. State Bank Holidays
Federal bank holidays are established by the Federal Reserve, and most banks nationwide observe these closures. These federal holidays impact transaction processing and bank operations across the country.
State bank holidays, in contrast, are determined at the state or local level. For example, Inauguration Day might be a bank holiday in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, while Patriot’s Day is observed in Massachusetts. On state holidays, your bank might be closed or operate with reduced hours, and practices can vary more widely than with federal holidays. Credit unions, in particular, might be more likely to close for state holidays compared to larger national banks. It is always best to check with your specific bank or credit union regarding state holiday closures.
How to Check if Your Bank is Closed
The easiest way to determine if your bank is closed for a holiday is to visit its website. Banks often post notifications about upcoming closures or modified hours directly on their homepage. Furthermore, most banks will have a dedicated holiday calendar or schedule readily available on their site, usually within the customer service or branch information sections.
If you cannot find the information online, or if you need absolute certainty about holiday closures, calling your bank’s customer service line is always a reliable option. Customer service representatives can provide specific details about holiday hours for local branches and any potential impacts on services.
In conclusion, while banks in the U.S. close for federal holidays, understanding these dates and utilizing alternative banking methods like ATMs and online services can help you manage your financial needs effectively even on bank holidays. Always check your bank’s website or contact customer service for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding holiday hours.
