It’s a common question, especially when a long weekend approaches or a federal holiday is around the corner: “Are The Banks Closed Today?” Knowing the answer is crucial for managing your finances, whether you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or handle any banking transactions. Banks, including the best banks in the U.S., typically observe a set schedule of closures throughout the year, aligning with federal holidays. This guide will clarify when banks are closed and what alternatives you have for accessing your money when they are.
Bank Holiday Schedules: Planning Ahead
Banks and other financial institutions generally close their doors on federal holidays. To help you plan your banking needs, most banks publish a holiday schedule on their website. This allows customers to prepare in advance for any closures.
Many national banks with physical branches often list their holiday schedules in the FAQ section of their websites. Others, like TD Bank and Regions Bank, dedicate entire pages to outlining their bank holiday schedules. During these holidays, physical bank branches will either close entirely or operate with modified hours. It’s also worth noting that customer service hours may vary on bank holidays, depending on your specific bank.
If you can’t find a holiday schedule on your bank’s website, the most reliable way to confirm holiday closures is to call your local branch directly.
Online banks, while lacking physical branches, are also affected by bank holidays. While customer service for online banks usually remains accessible, transactions are often delayed. For example, Capital One 360 offers customer service support on most holidays, excluding the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
The majority of financial institutions adhere to the Federal Reserve System’s holiday schedule. For 2025, this schedule is as follows:
| Holiday | 2025 |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | January 20 |
| Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) | February 17 |
| Memorial Day | May 26 |
| Juneteenth | June 19 |
| Fourth of July | July 4 |
| Labor Day | September 1 |
| Columbus Day | October 13 |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 27 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
It’s important to note the weekend rule: if a 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. Interestingly, while banks are closed on most of these days, the stock market operates on many of the same days, with only a few exceptions.
Transaction Processing on Bank Holidays
A key consideration for bank holidays is that most banking transactions, whether with an online bank or a traditional brick-and-mortar bank, will not be processed on these days.
Online banks like Ally Bank explicitly state they do not process money-related transactions on federal holidays. Similarly, Chime, another online banking platform, provides a list of holidays affecting direct deposit processing times.
Traditional banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America also delay transaction processing until the next business day. 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 a time-sensitive transaction, it’s wise to plan ahead and account for potential delays due to bank holidays. Having a backup plan can be helpful if you anticipate needing immediate access to funds around bank holiday periods.
Accessing Cash During Bank Holidays
While bank branches are closed on federal holidays, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) remain operational. If you need to withdraw cash or deposit checks on a bank holiday, ATMs provide a readily available solution. As long as you have a debit or ATM card, you can utilize ATMs to access cash even when banks are closed.
For situations where you are traveling or unable to locate a convenient ATM, many stores offer a cash-back option when you use your debit card for purchases. This can be a useful alternative to avoid out-of-network ATM fees, especially if your bank doesn’t reimburse such charges.
Cashing Checks When Banks Are Closed
Receiving a personal check during a bank holiday might seem inconvenient, but there are still ways to access your funds relatively quickly.
One option is to cash the check at a store that offers this service. Many grocery stores and retailers have check-cashing services available, providing immediate access to your money.
Some advanced ATMs also offer check cashing or deposit functionalities. However, these services might require you to already have funds in your account. If your bank’s ATM network supports check deposits but not immediate cashing, you can deposit the check through the ATM or your bank’s mobile app. You can then withdraw the cash from the ATM once the deposit is processed, although the funds may not be available instantly. This method is suitable if you prioritize security and don’t require immediate access to the cash, as processing may take a business day or two.
Federal and State Bank Holidays: Understanding the Difference
Federal bank holidays are established by the Federal Reserve, and these are the holidays most banks observe nationwide. When the Federal Reserve is closed, most banks follow suit, leading to delays in transactions and automated payments.
State bank holidays, on the other hand, are determined at the state or local level. For example, Inauguration Day might be a bank holiday in the Washington, D.C., area, and Patriot Day is observed in Massachusetts. Whether your bank closes or operates with reduced hours on state holidays can vary. Credit unions are sometimes more likely to close for state holidays compared to larger national banks. To be certain about closures on state-specific holidays, it is always best to check directly with your bank.
How to Check if Your Bank is Closed Today
The easiest way to determine if your bank is closed on a particular day is to visit their website. Banks often post notifications about upcoming closures or changes in operating hours directly on their homepage. Furthermore, most banks will have a dedicated holiday calendar or schedule readily available on their website, detailing all planned closures.
If you cannot find the information online, or if you prefer to double-check, contacting your bank’s customer service line is always a reliable option. Customer service representatives can provide information about holiday closures and also clarify local branch hours if needed.
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