The quickest way to know if today is a bank holiday

The U.S. Federal Reserve publishes a calendar of bank holidays each year on its website. Open federalreserve.gov, search for "holiday schedule," and you will see the exact dates when U.S. banks close. Today's date will either appear on that list or it will not. That is your answer.

If you need to know right now without leaving this page: the federal bank holidays in 2024 and 2025 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, it is a bank holiday.

Bank holidays matter because banks close, which means you cannot visit a branch, and ACH transfers (the standard way money moves between accounts) do not process. Checks deposited on a bank holiday will not clear until the next business day.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Reserve's official holiday schedule is the source of truth for when U.S. banks close.
  • On a bank holiday, branch locations are closed and ACH transfers do not process, though ATMs usually work.
  • Checks deposited on a holiday will not clear until the next business day, even if you deposit them at an ATM.
  • Some banks observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so your specific bank may close on days others do not.

Why the Federal Reserve schedule matters more than your bank's calendar

The Federal Reserve controls the payments system that moves money between banks. When the Fed closes for a holiday, the entire interbank network stops processing transfers. This is different from your bank's branch being open or closed.

Your bank might keep a branch open on a day the Fed is closed, but your transfer still will not move until the next Fed business day. The reverse is also true: if your bank closes but the Fed is open, transfers can still process. For this reason, the Federal Reserve schedule is what actually determines whether money moves, not your bank's posted hours.

You can find the Fed's complete schedule at federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/boardmeetings.htm under "Holiday Schedule." The list includes both federal holidays and any additional days the Fed observes.

What happens to transfers, deposits, and payments on a bank holiday

ACH transfers (direct deposits, bill payments, transfers between your own accounts at different banks) do not process on federal bank holidays. If you initiate a transfer on a holiday, it will sit in a queue and process the next business day. The bank will not charge you a fee for this delay, but the money will not arrive when you expected.

Wire transfers work differently. Some banks process wires on holidays, and some do not. If you need a wire to move on a specific day, call your bank the day before to ask whether they will process it. Do not assume.

Checks deposited at an ATM or mobile app on a holiday will not clear until the next business day. The deposit itself is recorded, but the funds will not be available until the Fed processes it. Checks deposited in person at a branch will not be processed at all until the branch reopens.

Debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, and credit card payments usually work normally on bank holidays because they do not require the Fed's payment system to process them in real time.

The difference between federal bank holidays and state or regional closures

The Federal Reserve observes 11 federal bank holidays each year. Some states and some individual banks observe additional holidays. For example, some banks in the South may close on Confederate Memorial Day, which is not a federal holiday.

If you bank with a large national bank, check your bank's website for its specific holiday schedule. If you bank with a regional or local bank, call and ask. The difference matters only if you need to visit a branch in person or if you are waiting for a time-sensitive transfer.

The Federal Reserve's closure is what stops the payments system. Your bank's closure only affects whether you can walk into a branch.

How to plan around bank holidays if you need money to move

If you are expecting a direct deposit or need to send money on or near a bank holiday, initiate the transfer at least one business day before the holiday. Most employers and bill-pay systems let you schedule transfers in advance. If you schedule a transfer for a holiday, it will process on the next business day automatically.

If you need cash on a holiday, withdraw it the day before. ATMs work on holidays, but if your account is low and you are counting on a deposit to clear, that deposit will not be available until the next business day.

If you are waiting for a check to clear before you spend the money, do not count on it clearing on a holiday or the day after. Most checks take one to two business days to clear under normal circumstances. A check deposited on a Friday before a Monday holiday will not clear until Wednesday at the earliest.

Where to find the official bank holiday schedule

The Federal Reserve publishes its holiday schedule at federalreserve.gov. Search the site for "holiday schedule" or "holidays" and you will find the current and upcoming years' dates. The schedule is updated each year in December for the following year.

Your own bank's schedule may differ slightly. Most large banks post their holiday schedule on their website under "Hours" or "Contact Us." If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service line and ask.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management also publishes a federal holidays list at opm.gov, which is useful if you need to know when government offices close, though this does not directly affect the banking system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check on a bank holiday?

You can deposit a check at an ATM or through your bank's mobile app on a holiday, and the deposit will be recorded. However, the check will not clear until the next business day because the Federal Reserve is closed. If you need the funds when ready, you cannot count on them being available on the holiday itself.

Do wire transfers process on bank holidays?

Some banks process wires on holidays and some do not. Call your bank the day before if you need a wire to move on a specific date. Do not assume your bank will process it just because you can initiate it online.

Will my direct deposit arrive on a bank holiday?

If your employer schedules a direct deposit for a bank holiday, it will process on the next business day instead. Most employers know the holiday schedule and deposit on the last business day before the holiday. If you are unsure when to expect your deposit, ask your payroll department.

What if I need cash and the bank is closed?

ATMs work on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash 24 hours a day. If your account balance is low and you are counting on a deposit to clear, remember that deposits do not clear on holidays, so plan ahead.

Does my bank's branch being open mean transfers will process?

No. Even if your bank keeps a branch open on a federal holiday, the Federal Reserve is closed, so ACH transfers and most other interbank payments will not process until the next business day. Your branch being open only matters if you need to speak to someone in person.