The fastest 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. You can check federalreserve.gov and search for "holiday schedule" to see which days banks close. The list includes ten regular federal holidays plus any special closures announced by the Fed.

If you need to know right now, the simplest approach is to call your bank's customer service line or check your bank's website directly. Most banks post their holiday hours prominently during the week before a closure, and many send email or text alerts to customers about upcoming closures.

The ten federal holidays when most U.S. banks close are fixed to specific dates or the same day each year. Some fall on weekends, in which case banks typically close on the nearest weekday instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Reserve's official holiday schedule is the authoritative source for bank closures, updated annually on federalreserve.gov.
  • The ten regular federal bank holidays include New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, among others.
  • When a holiday falls on a weekend, banks usually close on the nearest weekday—Friday if the holiday is on Saturday, Monday if it is on Sunday.
  • Your own bank may close on additional days beyond federal holidays, so checking directly with them is the only way to be certain about your branch.
  • Stock markets, government offices, and the U.S. Postal Service follow the same federal holiday schedule as banks.

The ten federal bank holidays and when they occur

New Year's Day falls on January 1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the third Monday in January. Presidents' Day is the third Monday in February. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May. Juneteenth is June 19. Independence Day is July 4. Labor Day is the first Monday in September. Columbus Day is the second Monday in October. Veterans Day is November 11. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November, and Christmas is December 25.

When any of these dates lands on a Saturday, banks close on Friday instead. When a holiday lands on a Sunday, banks close on Monday. This rule applies to all federal holidays except when Congress passes a special law moving the observance.

Some states and localities observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, but banks follow the federal schedule unless your specific bank has announced otherwise.

Why banks close on federal holidays

Federal law requires banks to close on days when the Federal Reserve itself is closed. The Federal Reserve does not process transactions on federal holidays, so banks cannot clear checks, process wire transfers, or settle transactions through the Fed's systems. This is why closures affect not just in-person banking but also online transfers and mobile deposits.

Even banks that remain open for limited hours on some holidays cannot process transactions that require Federal Reserve participation. ATMs and online banking platforms may remain available, but money will not move between accounts until the Fed reopens.

What you can and cannot do on a bank holiday

You can withdraw cash from an ATM, check your account balance online, and deposit checks through mobile deposit or ATM deposit envelopes on a bank holiday. You cannot speak to a teller, open a new account, or get a loan approved. Wire transfers, ACH transfers, and checks will not clear until the next business day after the holiday.

If you deposit a check on a holiday through mobile deposit or an ATM, it will be processed the next business day. If the next day is also a holiday or weekend, processing may take longer. Some banks allow you to schedule transfers in advance so they process automatically when the bank reopens.

How to plan ahead for bank holidays

If you need to move money or deposit a check before a holiday, do it at least one business day in advance. If you are expecting a wire transfer or payment, ask the sender to send it the day before the holiday so it arrives while the bank is open.

For recurring bills or payments, set them up to process on days that are not holidays or weekends. Many banks let you schedule transfers for specific dates, so you can avoid having a payment attempt to process when the bank is closed.

If you are traveling or will be away from your bank during a holiday, withdraw cash beforehand or confirm that the ATM network you use will be available where you are going.

Checking your specific bank's holiday schedule

Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all follow the federal holiday schedule, but some branches may have different hours. Credit unions and smaller regional banks may observe different holidays or have different closure policies.

The most reliable way to know your bank's exact schedule is to visit your bank's website, call the branch directly, or log into your online banking portal. Most banks post their holiday hours several weeks in advance and update them if there are any changes.

If you bank with a credit union, check your credit union's website or call your local branch, as they may observe holidays that national banks do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I try to transfer money on a bank holiday?

If you initiate a transfer through your bank's website or app on a holiday, it will usually be queued and process the next business day. Wire transfers initiated on a holiday will not leave your account until the bank reopens. Checks deposited on a holiday will be processed the next business day.

Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?

Yes, all banks close on the ten federal holidays set by the Federal Reserve. However, some banks may close on additional days or have different hours. Always check with your specific bank to be certain.

Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?

Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and merchants on bank holidays because those transactions do not require the bank to be open. However, if you overdraft or have a dispute, you may not be able to contact your bank until the next business day.

What if a holiday falls on a weekend?

If a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, banks close on Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday. The Federal Reserve observes the same rule, so no transactions process on either day.

Do stock markets close on the same days as banks?

Stock markets close on most federal holidays, but not all. The New York Stock Exchange closes on the ten federal holidays plus one additional day (the day after Thanksgiving). Check the NYSE website for its specific holiday schedule.