Most banks close on Presidents Day, but some branches and online services stay available
Presidents Day is a federal holiday, which means most traditional banks shut their physical branches. However, "most" is not "all." Some banks keep select locations open, and nearly all banks let you access your money online or through ATMs even when branches are closed. The key difference is between what you can do in person at a teller window and what you can do from home or at a machine.
If you need cash or have a transaction that requires a teller, call your bank the day before Presidents Day to confirm whether your specific branch will be open. Large national banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase typically close all branches on federal holidays, but regional banks and credit unions vary. Some keep a handful of branches staffed in major cities. A few banks—mostly online-only institutions—operate normally because they have no physical branches at all.
Key Takeaways
- Most bank branches close on Presidents Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available at virtually all banks.
- Large national banks almost always close all branches on federal holidays, while some regional banks and credit unions may keep limited locations open.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM, check your balance, transfer money, and pay bills online on Presidents Day even if your branch is closed.
- Call your bank directly the day before if you need to speak with a teller or conduct a transaction that requires in-person verification.
What you can and cannot do when your bank is closed
When a bank branch closes for a federal holiday, you lose access to tellers, safe deposit boxes, and notary services. You cannot deposit checks by hand, withdraw large amounts of cash without an ATM, or speak to a banker about loans or account issues. If you need any of these services on Presidents Day, you must plan ahead.
What remains open: ATMs dispense cash 24/7 at most banks, even on holidays. Online banking portals let you check balances, transfer money between accounts, pay bills, and send wire transfers. Mobile apps work the same way. Debit card transactions process normally. If your bank uses a shared ATM network—like Allpoint or MoneyPass—you can withdraw cash from thousands of machines nationwide, not just your bank's ATMs.
Checks you deposit on Presidents Day typically do not clear until the next business day anyway, so depositing on the holiday itself versus the day before makes no practical difference. The same applies to bill payments made online—they process on the next business day regardless of when you submit them.
How to learn about your specific branch is open
The only reliable way to know is to contact your bank directly. Do not assume based on what happened last year or what you think the policy is. Call the main customer service number, visit your bank's website and search for "holiday hours," or use the branch locator tool and click on your location to see the posted hours for Presidents Day.
If you call, have your account number or the branch address ready. Ask specifically: "Will this branch be open on Presidents Day?" Some banks post holiday hours weeks in advance; others update them closer to the date. If you cannot reach anyone, check the bank's mobile app—many apps show branch hours in real time.
Credit unions often have different policies than banks. If you bank with a credit union, contact your local branch or the main office. Some credit unions close on all federal holidays; others stay open. The only way to know is to ask.
Banks that typically stay open or have limited hours on Presidents Day
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover have no physical branches, so they operate normally on Presidents Day. You can still call customer service, though wait times may be longer. Transfers and account changes process as usual.
Some regional banks and credit unions keep one or two branches open in major metropolitan areas on federal holidays. Examples include certain locations of PNC Bank, U.S. Bank, and local credit unions, but this varies by region and year. The only way to confirm is to call ahead.
A few banks offer "holiday hours"—shorter hours rather than full closure—but this is rare and usually limited to a single flagship branch in a major city. Again, call your bank to confirm.
Planning ahead for Presidents Day banking needs
If you know you will need cash or in-person banking services on Presidents Day, withdraw what you need the business day before. Most ATMs have daily withdrawal limits (often $500 to $1,000, depending on your account and bank), so plan accordingly. If you need more than your ATM limit, visit a teller on Friday or the Monday before the holiday.
If you need to deposit a check, do it before the holiday. Checks deposited on Presidents Day will not clear any faster than checks deposited the day before, so there is no advantage to waiting. If you use mobile check deposit, you can submit it anytime—the processing timeline is the same.
For bill payments, wire transfers, and account changes, use online banking or your mobile app. These transactions process on the next business day whether you submit them on Presidents Day or the day before. If you are paying a bill with a specific due date, submit it a few days early to account for the holiday.
What happens to deposits and transactions on Presidents Day
Deposits made on Presidents Day do not post to your account until the next business day. This is true whether you deposit in person (if a branch is open), via ATM, or through mobile check deposit. The federal holiday does not speed up or slow down processing—it straightforward shifts everything one day later.
Transactions you make online—transfers, bill payments, debit card purchases—process normally. Your debit card works at any merchant on Presidents Day. Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank post when ready or within hours, depending on the bank. Transfers to other banks may take one to three business days, and the holiday does not change that timeline.
If you send a wire transfer on Presidents Day, it typically processes the next business day. Urgent wire transfers sometimes process same-day if submitted before a certain cutoff time (usually 2 or 3 p.m.), but the holiday may shift that cutoff. Call your bank if you need a same-day wire on or around Presidents Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Presidents Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on Presidents Day just like any other day. The holiday does not affect card processing. You can make purchases, withdraw cash from ATMs, and check your balance online without any interruption.
Will my direct deposit process on Presidents Day?
No. Direct deposits scheduled for Presidents Day will post on the next business day, which is Tuesday. If your paycheck is normally deposited on a Monday that falls on Presidents Day, it will arrive on Tuesday instead. Contact your employer's payroll department if you are unsure which day your deposit will arrive.
What if I need to access my safe deposit box on Presidents Day?
You cannot. Safe deposit boxes are only accessible when the branch is open and staffed. If you need something from your box on or around Presidents Day, visit the branch the business day before. Plan ahead if you need documents for a transaction scheduled for Presidents Day.
Do online banks close on Presidents Day?
No. Banks with no physical branches—like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover—operate normally on Presidents Day. You can log in, transfer money, and conduct transactions as usual. Customer service lines may have longer wait times, but the service itself does not close.
Can I get a cashier's check on Presidents Day?
Only if your branch is open. Most branches are closed, so you will need to get a cashier's check the business day before. If you need one urgently and your branch is closed, contact your bank to ask whether any nearby branches are open on the holiday.