The fastest way to know
The U.S. federal government observes 11 bank holidays each year. If this Friday is one of them, most banks will be closed and you will not be able to conduct in-person transactions. The quickest way to check is to look at the current year's federal holiday calendar — either through your own bank's website (usually under "Hours" or "Locations") or through the Federal Reserve's official holiday schedule.
Your bank may also observe holidays that the federal government does not, or it may stay open on a federal holiday. This varies by institution. A phone call to your branch takes 30 seconds and removes all doubt.
Key Takeaways
- The 11 federal bank holidays are fixed dates each year, though some move to the nearest Monday if they fall on a weekend.
- Your bank's website or a call to your branch will tell you whether it is closed this Friday.
- Banks may close on days the federal government does not recognize as holidays, or stay open on federal holidays.
- If your bank is closed, ATMs and online banking usually remain available.
The 11 federal holidays banks observe
These dates are the same every year, though the day of the week changes. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on Monday.
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Third Monday in January |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
If this Friday matches one of these dates or falls on the observed date for a holiday that moved, your bank will almost certainly be closed.
What stays open when your bank closes
A bank holiday does not shut down all banking. ATMs remain available 24 hours, so you can withdraw cash or deposit checks at any machine your bank operates. Online banking — transfers, bill pay, account viewing — continues to work normally.
Mobile banking apps work the same way. The only service you lose is access to a teller, loan officer, or branch staff. If you need to speak to someone, you will have to wait until the next business day, though some banks offer phone support on holidays.
When your bank might close on a non-federal holiday
Some banks observe additional holidays beyond the 11 federal ones. Regional banks sometimes close on state holidays, and banks in certain areas may close on days significant to their community. Credit unions occasionally observe different holidays than commercial banks.
The only way to know for certain is to check your specific bank's holiday schedule. This information is usually on their website under "Hours and Locations" or "Holiday Schedule". If you cannot find it online, call your branch directly.
How to find your bank's specific holiday schedule
Most large banks publish their full-year holiday schedule online. Search "[Your Bank Name] holiday schedule" or go to the bank's main website and look for a link labeled "Hours," "Locations," or "Holiday Schedule." The page will list every day the bank closes.
If your bank is small or regional, the schedule may only be available by phone. Call the branch you plan to visit and ask whether they are open this Friday. Have the specific date ready so there is no confusion about which Friday you mean.
What happens if you need banking services on a holiday
If you need cash, use an ATM. If you need to move money between accounts, use online banking or your mobile app. Both work on holidays. If you need to deposit a check and cannot use a mobile deposit app, you will have to wait until the next business day.
If you have a time-sensitive transaction — a payment due, a transfer that cannot wait — handle it before the holiday. Most banks process transactions submitted before their cutoff time (usually 5 p.m. or later) on the business day before the holiday, and the transaction posts the next business day after the holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit still go through on a bank holiday?
Yes. Direct deposits are processed by the Federal Reserve and automated clearing houses, which operate on holidays. Your employer's payroll system sends the deposit, and it lands in your account on the scheduled day, whether or not your bank branch is open.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants and ATMs on holidays because the payment networks (Visa, Mastercard) and ATM systems operate continuously. Your bank branch being closed does not affect card transactions.
What if I need to speak to someone at my bank on a holiday?
Some banks offer phone support on federal holidays, though wait times are often longer. Check your bank's website or the back of your debit card for a customer service number and call to see if someone is available. Otherwise, you will need to visit a branch or call the next business day.
Do credit unions close on the same holidays as banks?
Most credit unions observe the same 11 federal holidays as banks, but some close on additional days. Check your credit union's website or call your branch to confirm whether it is open this Friday.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, which day is the bank closed?
If a holiday falls on Saturday, the bank observes it on Friday. If it falls on Sunday, the bank observes it on Monday. The Federal Reserve publishes the observed dates each year, and your bank follows that schedule.