Most banks close on Veterans Day, but some branches stay open
Yes, most banks close on Veterans Day (November 11th). This is a federal holiday, and banks that are members of the Federal Reserve system must close. That means you cannot visit a branch, use a teller, or conduct business in person that day.
However, you can still use ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps on Veterans Day — those services run 24/7 regardless of whether the branch is staffed. Some banks also operate limited hours at select locations, so it is worth checking with your specific bank before the holiday.
The closure affects when transactions post. If you deposit a check at an ATM on Veterans Day, it will not be processed until the next business day (November 12th). Transfers you initiate online may also wait until the 12th to complete, depending on your bank's processing schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Federal banks close entirely on Veterans Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Checks deposited on Veterans Day will not process until the next business day.
- Some banks operate limited hours at certain branches — contact your bank directly to confirm.
- Plan ahead if you need cash or in-person services, since the branch will be closed.
- Wire transfers and bill payments initiated online may post a day later than usual.
What you can and cannot do on Veterans Day
You can use your debit card, credit card, and ATM normally on Veterans Day. Online transfers between your own accounts work when ready. Bill payments set up through your bank's website or app will process, though they may post to the receiving account on November 12th instead of the 11th.
You cannot walk into a branch and speak to a teller. You cannot cash a check in person or deposit cash at the counter. You cannot open a new account or explore for a loan face-to-face. If you need a cashier's check or a notarized document, you will have to wait until November 12th.
Mobile check deposit (taking a photo of a check through your bank's app) works on Veterans Day, but the check will not clear until the next business day. The same applies to ATM deposits.
Banks that may stay open on Veterans Day
A small number of banks operate on federal holidays, particularly credit unions and smaller regional banks. Some branches in high-traffic areas (airports, hospitals, military bases) may stay open with reduced staffing. Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have no physical branches, so the holiday does not affect them — you can transfer money and pay bills normally.
The only way to know if your bank is open is to call ahead or check their website. Do not assume based on what another bank does. A Chase branch in one city might close while a Chase branch near a military base stays open with limited hours.
Planning ahead for Veterans Day
If you need cash, withdraw it on November 10th. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit through your app or an ATM on the 11th — just remember it will not clear until the 12th. If you are expecting a direct deposit (paycheck, benefits, tax refund), it will arrive on schedule unless your bank processes it on the 11th, in which case it may show up on the 12th.
If you pay bills by check, mail them a few days early so they arrive before Veterans Day. If you pay online, set up the payment on November 10th and schedule it for November 12th to avoid any processing delays.
If you have a time-sensitive transaction — a wire transfer, a large purchase, or a payment with a important date — handle it on November 10th or wait until November 12th. Do not rely on branch services on the holiday itself.
How Veterans Day closures affect different types of transactions
Direct deposits and payroll: Most employers process payroll on schedule, and the money lands in your account on the regular day even if the 11th is a holiday. Some employers delay to the next business day, so check with your HR department if you are unsure.
Automatic bill payments: Payments you have already set up will process on their scheduled date. The receiving company may not receive the payment until November 12th, but your bank will send it on time.
Wire transfers: Banks do not process wires on federal holidays. If you initiate a wire on November 10th, it goes out that day. If you try on November 11th through online banking, it will queue for November 12th.
Loan payments: If your loan payment is due on November 11th and you cannot pay in person, pay online before the 11th. Most lenders accept online payments 24/7 and will not penalize you if the payment posts on the 12th, but confirm with your lender first.
What to do if you have an urgent banking need on Veterans Day
Call your bank's customer service line. Most banks staff their phone lines on federal holidays, and representatives can help with account questions, fraud issues, and lost card replacement. They cannot process deposits or withdrawals, but they can walk you through online options or tell you if a nearby branch is open.
If you have a true emergency — a fraudulent charge, a compromised account, or a critical payment — your bank's 24/7 fraud line is always staffed. The number is usually on the back of your debit card.
If you need cash and no ATM is nearby, some grocery stores and pharmacies will cash checks or allow you to withdraw cash with a debit card at the register, even on holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck deposit on Veterans Day if it is a Friday?
Most employers process payroll on schedule regardless of holidays, so your check should deposit on Friday the 11th. However, some employers delay payroll when a holiday falls on payday. Contact your HR or payroll department to confirm the exact date.
Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day?
Yes. Your debit card works at ATMs, stores, and online merchants on Veterans Day. The bank branch is closed, but the card itself is active. Transactions may take an extra day to post if they involve the bank's processing system.
What if I need to deposit a check on Veterans Day?
Use mobile deposit through your bank's app or deposit it at an ATM. The check will not clear until November 12th, but it will be safely recorded. Do not try to deposit at the branch — it will be closed.
Do credit unions close on Veterans Day?
Most credit unions close on federal holidays, but some stay open with limited hours. Call your credit union ahead of time to confirm. Online and mobile services work normally on the holiday.
If I wire money on November 10th, will it arrive on the 11th?
Wire transfers initiated on November 10th will process that day and typically arrive within hours. Wires initiated on November 11th will not process until November 12th. If the receiving bank is also closed on the 11th, the money may not arrive until the 12th regardless.