The quickest way to know if today is a bank holiday

The U.S. Federal Reserve publishes the official list of bank holidays each year on its website. Open a browser, go to federalreserve.gov, search for "bank holidays" or "holiday schedule," and you will see the full calendar. The list shows which days banks close and which days the markets close — they are not always the same. Today's date will either appear on that list or it will not.

If you need to know right now without looking it up: the federal bank holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If today matches one of those dates, banks are closed. If it does not, they are open.

Some banks also observe additional holidays beyond the federal list — particularly around religious observances or regional events. Your own bank may close on days the Federal Reserve does not. The only way to be certain about your specific bank is to call them or check their website.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Reserve publishes the official U.S. bank holiday calendar each year on federalreserve.gov.
  • The eleven federal bank holidays are fixed dates or specific Mondays each year, and banks close on all of them.
  • Stock markets (NYSE and NASDAQ) close on federal bank holidays, but some banks may stay open on days markets close.
  • Individual banks sometimes observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so checking with your bank directly is the only way to be certain.

The difference between federal bank holidays and market holidays

A federal bank holiday means most banks will not process transactions, and you cannot visit a branch. The stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) also closes. However, some banks stay open on certain days the market closes, and some markets stay open on days banks close — this happens rarely, but it does happen.

ATMs and online banking work on bank holidays. You can withdraw money, transfer funds, and check your balance. What you cannot do is speak to a person, deposit a check at a branch, or have a transaction processed that day. Deposits made on a bank holiday typically post the next business day.

When banks close versus when they stay open

All banks close on the eleven federal holidays. Some banks also close on days that are not federal holidays — for example, some banks in certain states observe additional state holidays, or some banks close on the day after Thanksgiving. A few banks stay open on some federal holidays if they are located in states where that holiday is not observed locally, though this is uncommon.

The safest approach: if you need to visit a branch or speak to someone, call your bank before you go. A two-minute call tells you whether they are open today. Most banks have a customer service line that operates even on holidays, or you can check their website, which usually displays current hours.

How to find your bank's specific holiday schedule

Your bank's website will have a holiday schedule or hours page. Search for "holiday hours" or "branch hours" on their site. Some banks post the full year's schedule; others update it quarterly. If you cannot find it online, call the main customer service number — they can tell you when ready whether the branch is open today.

If you bank with a large national bank (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, etc.), they follow the federal holiday calendar closely. If you bank with a credit union or a smaller regional bank, they may have different rules. The only way to know for certain is to ask them directly.

What happens to transactions on bank holidays

Transactions you initiate on a bank holiday — transfers, bill payments, checks deposited through mobile banking — are queued and process the next business day. If you transfer money on a Monday that is a bank holiday, the money moves on Tuesday. If you deposit a check on a holiday, it posts on the next business day.

Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on a holiday do not go through until the next business day. This matters if you are trying to move money quickly. If you need funds to arrive by a specific date, do not initiate the transfer on a bank holiday or the day before one, because the delay will push the arrival date back.

Bank holidays versus business days in payment timing

When a bank or payment company says something will happen in "two business days," they mean two days when banks are open — bank holidays do not count. If you send a wire transfer on a Thursday before a three-day weekend (Friday is a bank holiday), the transfer goes out Monday, and the two-business-day clock starts then. The money arrives Wednesday.

This is why knowing whether today is a bank holiday matters for payment timing. If you are waiting for a deposit or transfer and today is a bank holiday, add an extra day to your estimate. If you are sending money and need it to arrive by a important date, check the federal holiday calendar before you initiate the transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ATMs work on bank holidays?

Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. Deposits made at an ATM on a bank holiday post the next business day.

Can I deposit a check on a bank holiday?

You can deposit a check through mobile banking or at an ATM on a bank holiday, and it will post the next business day. You cannot deposit a check at a branch because branches are closed. Some banks allow mobile check deposit; others do not — check your bank's app to see if the option is available.

What if I need to reach my bank on a holiday?

Call the customer service number on the back of your card. Most large banks operate a 24/7 customer service line even on holidays. You can report fraud, ask questions about your account, or request a wire transfer. You just cannot visit a branch or speak to a local banker.

Do online banks close on bank holidays?

Online-only banks (like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover) do not have physical branches, so there is no "closing." You can access your account and initiate transactions anytime. However, transactions still process according to the federal business day calendar — a transfer initiated on a bank holiday posts the next business day.

How do I know if my bank observes a holiday I have not heard of?

Call your bank or check their website. Some banks observe holidays beyond the federal list, particularly around religious observances or regional events. Your bank's holiday schedule page or customer service line will list all days they close.