Good Friday is a bank holiday in the United States, but not everywhere and not for everything
Good Friday — the Friday before Easter Sunday — is a federal holiday. The U.S. stock markets close. Most federal offices shut down. But your bank branch might be open, your mail will not arrive, and whether your employer gives you the day off depends on where you work and what industry you are in.
The confusion exists because Good Friday is a religious holiday, and the federal government treats it differently than it treats secular holidays like Independence Day. Some states recognize it as a paid holiday for state employees. Some do not. Some private employers observe it; most do not. The result is a patchwork where the day off is not may provide, even though the financial system largely stops.
Key Takeaways
- Good Friday is a federal holiday, which means U.S. stock exchanges close and most federal offices are shut, but it is not a universal paid day off for private employees.
- Banks themselves may be open or closed depending on the bank and the state; you should check with your specific bank rather than assume it is closed.
- The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail on Good Friday, and federal courts are closed, but many private businesses and schools remain open.
- State government offices close in most states on Good Friday, but some states do not recognize it as an official holiday for state employees.
- If Good Friday falls on a day your employer normally requires you to work, whether you get paid time off depends on your employment contract and company policy, not federal law.
What closes on Good Friday and what does not
The U.S. stock market — both the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ — closes entirely on Good Friday. Bond markets close as well. If you hold investments or trade, you cannot buy or sell on that day. The market reopens the following Monday.
Federal offices close. This includes the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and most federal courthouses. If you need to file something with a federal agency and Good Friday falls on your important date, the important date typically moves to the following Monday. State and local government offices close in most states, though a few states do not officially recognize Good Friday as a holiday for state employees — check your state's holiday calendar if you work for state government.
The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail on Good Friday. If you mail something on Thursday, it will not move until Monday. Federal Express and UPS typically operate on Good Friday, though some locations may have reduced hours — contact your local facility to confirm.
Most private businesses stay open. Retail stores, restaurants, and offices operate normally unless the individual business chooses to close. Schools vary: some public school districts close on Good Friday; others do not. Private schools set their own calendars.
Banks and financial institutions on Good Friday
This is where the confusion peaks. Most major banks close their physical branches on Good Friday because it is a federal holiday and because the financial system largely halts. However, this is not a legal requirement — banks choose to close based on their own policy and the state they operate in.
Some regional banks and credit unions stay open on Good Friday. Your bank's website or customer service line will tell you whether your specific branch is open. Do not assume; call or check online before you go.
Online banking and ATMs work on Good Friday regardless of whether branches are staffed. You can transfer money, check balances, and withdraw cash from ATMs. Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on Good Friday typically process on Monday, not when ready, because the banking system itself is not fully operational.
What this means for paychecks and bill payments
If your employer pays you on Good Friday, the deposit will likely still hit your account on that day — payroll systems run on a schedule that does not stop for holidays. However, if your paycheck normally arrives on a Friday and Good Friday falls on that date, some employers move payday to Thursday or the following Monday. Check with your payroll department if you are unsure.
Bill payments you schedule online will process on their scheduled date, but if that date is Good Friday, the payment may not clear until Monday. If you are cutting it close on a important date, schedule the payment for Thursday instead. Automatic recurring payments (utilities, subscriptions, loan payments) typically go through as scheduled, though the receiving institution may not process them until Monday.
Whether you get paid time off on Good Friday
Federal employees get Good Friday off as a paid holiday. If you work for a federal agency, you do not work and you are paid as if you did.
State employees in most states get Good Friday off as a paid holiday. However, some states — including Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and a few others — do not officially recognize Good Friday as a state holiday. If you work for state government in one of these states, you work on Good Friday unless your specific agency has chosen to close anyway. Check your state's official holiday list.
Private employees have no federal right to time off on Good Friday. Whether you get paid time off, unpaid time off, or are expected to work depends entirely on your employer's policy and your employment contract. Some private employers close on Good Friday; most do not. If you want to know your company's policy, ask your HR department or check your employee handbook.
Schools and Good Friday
Public school districts vary. Some close on Good Friday; others do not. This depends on the state, the district, and sometimes the individual school. Check your school district's calendar or contact the school directly.
Private schools set their own calendars. Some follow a Christian calendar and close on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Others operate normally. Universities vary as well — some close, others remain open with limited services.
Planning around Good Friday
If you need to conduct financial business on or around Good Friday, plan ahead. Call your bank to confirm hours. If you need to file something with a federal agency, submit it by Thursday. If you are paying a bill with a Friday important date and Good Friday falls on that date, pay on Thursday.
If you are traveling, remember that the stock market is closed, which does not affect you directly, but that federal offices are closed, which matters if you need a passport, a visa, or any federal service. The Postal Service does not deliver, so do not expect mail. Most private businesses operate normally, so restaurants, hotels, and shops are open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my bank be open on Good Friday?
Most major banks close their branches on Good Friday, but some regional banks and credit unions stay open. Call your bank or check their website to confirm. ATMs and online banking work regardless of branch hours.
If I mail something on Thursday before Good Friday, when will it arrive?
The Postal Service does not deliver on Good Friday, so mail posted on Thursday will not move until Monday. If you need something to arrive by a specific date, mail it earlier in the week or use a private carrier like FedEx or UPS, which typically operates on Good Friday.
Do I have to work on Good Friday if my employer does not close?
Yes, unless your employment contract or company policy says otherwise. Good Friday is a federal holiday, but that does not require private employers to close or give employees the day off. Check your employee handbook or ask HR what your company's policy is.
Will my paycheck deposit on Good Friday if that is payday?
Payroll systems typically run on schedule, so your deposit should hit on Good Friday. However, some employers move payday when it falls on a holiday. Confirm with your payroll department if you are unsure.
Are stock markets open on Good Friday?
No. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ close on Good Friday. You cannot buy or sell stocks on that day. The markets reopen on Monday.