Most banks close on Veterans Day, but some branches and services remain available

Veterans Day falls on November 11 each year. On that day, most banks in the United States close their physical branches and do not process standard transactions. The Federal Reserve does not operate, which means wire transfers, ACH payments, and other inter-bank movements stop. However, the specifics depend on which bank you use and what you need to do.

If you need cash or have a banking question on Veterans Day, your options narrow. ATMs stay open at most banks—you can withdraw money or check your balance. Mobile apps and online banking platforms continue to work. But if you need to speak to someone, deposit a check, or handle something that requires a teller, you will need to wait until the next business day or find a bank that operates on the holiday.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major banks close their branches on Veterans Day, including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank.
  • ATMs and online banking stay open on Veterans Day at virtually all banks, so you can withdraw money and check balances without visiting a branch.
  • Wire transfers and ACH payments do not process on Veterans Day because the Federal Reserve is closed, even if your bank's app shows the transaction as sent.
  • Some credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different holiday schedules, so checking with your specific institution before the holiday prevents surprises.
  • If you need a service that requires a teller or bank staff, plan to visit on the business day before or after Veterans Day.

What stays closed on Veterans Day

The Federal Reserve, which operates the payment systems that move money between banks, closes on Veterans Day. This means wire transfers initiated on that day will not leave your account until the next business day. The same applies to ACH transfers—direct deposits, bill payments, and transfers between banks all queue up and process the next morning.

Physical bank branches close. You cannot walk in to deposit a check, withdraw large amounts of cash, open an account, or speak to a loan officer. This includes all major banks: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and most regional and community banks. Some credit unions also close, though a few operate on their own holiday schedule—call ahead if you use a credit union.

Check clearing also stops. If you deposit a check on Veterans Day through a mobile app or ATM, it enters the queue but does not clear until the next business day. The same timing applies whether you deposit in person (if a branch were open) or remotely.

What stays open on Veterans Day

ATMs operate normally. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks through a mobile deposit app, transfer money between your own accounts, and check your balance. ATM networks run on their own infrastructure separate from the Federal Reserve, so the holiday does not affect them.

Online and mobile banking platforms stay open. You can log in, view transactions, set up bill payments, and initiate transfers. The transfers will not actually move until the next business day because the Federal Reserve is closed, but you can schedule them for processing on November 12.

Some banks operate limited services through phone lines or chat. Call your bank's customer service number on Veterans Day—you may reach someone who can answer questions or handle certain account issues, though they cannot process transactions that require the Federal Reserve to be open.

How to plan around Veterans Day closures

If you need cash, withdraw it on November 10. ATMs work on the holiday, but if you need a large amount or have a question about your account, the branch will be closed.

If you are sending a wire transfer or ACH payment that has a important date, send it on November 10 or wait until November 12. Anything sent on Veterans Day will not process until the next business day, which can matter if you have a bill due or a time-sensitive payment.

If you need to deposit a check and cannot use mobile deposit, plan to visit a branch on November 10 or 12. Mobile deposit works on the holiday—the check clears the next business day either way—but if you need to deposit cash or handle something else, you need a staffed branch.

Check your bank's website or call before the holiday if you use a smaller bank or credit union. Some institutions have different holiday schedules or operate limited branch hours on federal holidays. Knowing this in advance prevents a trip to a closed branch.

Wire transfers and ACH payments on Veterans Day

If you initiate a wire transfer on Veterans Day, your bank may debit your account when ready, but the money does not leave until November 12. The same applies to ACH payments—your bank accepts the instruction, but the Federal Reserve does not process it until the next business day. This matters if you are paying a bill with a important date or sending money to someone who expects it the same day.

Some banks show the transaction as "pending" in your account on Veterans Day. This is normal. The funds are held but not yet transferred. The receiving bank will not see the money until November 12.

If you have a payment due on Veterans Day itself, send it on November 10. If the important date is November 12, sending on Veterans Day usually works because most creditors and billers account for the Federal Reserve closure. But if you are uncertain, call the recipient and confirm when they actually receive payments.

Credit unions and smaller banks

Most credit unions close on Veterans Day, but not all. Some credit unions operate on a different holiday schedule or have branches that stay open. If you use a credit union, check their website or call their main number in early November to confirm their Veterans Day hours.

Smaller regional banks usually close on Veterans Day, but again, this varies. A bank with five branches in one state might have different policies than a national chain. The safest approach is to assume your bank is closed unless you have confirmed otherwise.

Online-only banks do not have physical branches, so the concept of "closed" does not explore in the same way. You can still access your account, withdraw money through ATM networks, and initiate transfers. The Federal Reserve closure still affects when transfers actually process, but you are not blocked from using your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Veterans Day if the bank is closed?

Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and merchants on Veterans Day. The bank branch is closed, but the card networks and ATM systems operate normally. You can spend money and withdraw cash without any issue.

Will my direct deposit arrive on Veterans Day?

No. Direct deposits scheduled for Veterans Day will not arrive until November 12 because the Federal Reserve does not process ACH transfers on the holiday. If your paycheck is normally deposited on November 11, it arrives on November 12 instead.

What if I need to deposit a check on Veterans Day?

Use mobile deposit through your bank's app if you have it. Take a photo of the front and back of the check, and submit it. The check clears the next business day. If you cannot use mobile deposit and the branch is closed, wait until November 12 to deposit in person or through an ATM if your bank offers that option.

Do I lose money if I send a wire transfer on Veterans Day?

No. The wire still goes through; it just processes on November 12 instead of the same day. You are not charged extra, and the receiving bank gets the money the next business day. The only issue is timing—if you need the money to arrive the same day, you cannot send it on Veterans Day.

Are bank ATMs open on Veterans Day?

Yes. ATMs at bank branches and in other locations operate 24/7, including on Veterans Day. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks through mobile deposit, and check your balance without any problem.