Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, but not all banks close
Thanksgiving Day itself — the fourth Thursday in November — is a federal holiday, which means the federal government, post offices, and most courts close. But whether your bank closes depends on which bank you use and what service you need. Most large national banks close their physical branches on Thanksgiving, but many keep their online banking, ATMs, and mobile apps running. Some regional and community banks stay open, and credit unions vary widely.
The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is not a federal holiday. Banks are open for normal business, though some branches may have reduced hours or staffing. If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on Thanksgiving itself, you will likely need to use an ATM or mobile deposit rather than visit a branch.
Key Takeaways
- Most major banks close their physical branches on Thanksgiving Day, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is a regular business day for banks, not a federal holiday.
- Credit unions and smaller regional banks may have different closure schedules, so checking with your specific institution matters.
- Wire transfers, ACH payments, and other electronic transfers may process more slowly around the Thanksgiving holiday period.
- If you need cash or to deposit a check on Thanksgiving, mobile deposit and ATMs are your options.
Which banks close on Thanksgiving and which stay open
The major national banks — Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, and US Bank — all close their branch locations on Thanksgiving Day. However, their ATMs remain operational, and you can access your account through their mobile app or website to check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up bill payments.
Smaller regional and community banks vary. Some close entirely, while others keep select branches open with limited hours. Credit unions are similarly inconsistent — some close system-wide, while others operate on a normal schedule or open for a few hours. The only way to know for certain is to contact your bank or credit union directly or check their website for holiday hours.
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have no physical branches to close, so Thanksgiving does not affect their basic services. You can still log in, check balances, and move money. However, customer service phone lines may have reduced staffing or longer wait times.
What you can and cannot do on Thanksgiving if your bank is closed
If your bank's branch is closed on Thanksgiving, you can still access most services electronically. ATMs work around the clock, so you can withdraw cash or deposit checks using mobile deposit (if your bank offers it) or an ATM that accepts deposits. You can log into your online banking portal or mobile app to check your balance, review transactions, and transfer money between your own accounts at the same bank.
What you cannot do is speak to a teller, open a new account, explore for a loan, or resolve a problem that requires human judgment. If you have a fraud dispute, a missing deposit, or a question about your account, you will need to wait until the branch reopens or call customer service — though wait times may be longer on or when ready after the holiday.
Payments you initiate on Thanksgiving may not process until the next business day. A wire transfer sent on Thanksgiving afternoon will likely not move until Friday. ACH transfers (the system used for direct deposits and bill payments) also follow a delayed schedule around holidays. If you have a time-sensitive payment, initiate it before Thanksgiving or wait until Friday to be safe.
How the Thanksgiving holiday affects payment timing
The Federal Reserve does not process payments on federal holidays, which means the banking system itself moves more slowly around Thanksgiving. If you send a wire transfer on Thanksgiving Day, it will not leave your bank until the next business day at the earliest. The receiving bank may not credit it for another day or two depending on the time it arrives and their own processing schedule.
ACH transfers — the system that handles direct deposits, paycheck deposits, and most bill payments — also pause on federal holidays. If your paycheck normally deposits on Friday and Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, your deposit may arrive on Friday or Monday depending on when your employer submitted it and your bank's processing rules. If you are expecting a payment around Thanksgiving, check with the sender about timing rather than assuming it will arrive on the usual day.
Credit card payments, loan payments, and other bills due on Thanksgiving should be paid before the holiday to avoid a late fee. Most banks will not process a payment submitted on Thanksgiving until the next business day, which could push you past your due date. If a due date falls on Thanksgiving, contact your lender to confirm whether they will accept a payment on Wednesday or if you should pay earlier.
How to prepare your banking for the Thanksgiving period
If you know you will need cash over Thanksgiving, withdraw it before Wednesday. ATMs work on the holiday, but it is better to have cash in hand than to rely on an ATM that might malfunction or run out of money during a busy holiday period.
If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit before Thanksgiving if your bank offers it. Take a photo of the front and back of the check through your mobile app, and the bank will process it. Mobile deposits submitted before the holiday will clear by Friday or Monday depending on the amount and your bank's policy. Checks deposited in an ATM on Thanksgiving may not be processed until Friday.
Pay any bills due around Thanksgiving at least one business day early. Do not wait until Thursday to pay something due Friday. Set up automatic bill payments in advance if you have not already — they will process on schedule even if the holiday falls on a payment date.
If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, notify your bank in advance so they do not flag your transactions as fraudulent. Use your bank's app to locate ATMs in the area where you will be, since not all ATMs accept all cards. Bring a backup payment method — a credit card or cash — in case you cannot access your bank account for some reason.
What happens the day after Thanksgiving
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a regular business day. Banks are open for normal hours, though some branches may have reduced staffing or shorter hours due to holiday scheduling. The Federal Reserve processes payments normally, so wire transfers and ACH transfers submitted on Friday will move on their regular schedule.
If you have a banking issue that could not be resolved on Thanksgiving, Friday is when you can call customer service or visit a branch. However, expect longer wait times — many people deal with banking tasks they postponed during the holiday. If your issue is not urgent, waiting until Monday may get you faster service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Thanksgiving if the bank is closed?
Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant or ATM regardless of whether your bank's branch is open. You can make purchases, withdraw cash, and deposit checks using an ATM or mobile deposit. The only thing you cannot do is visit a branch to speak with a teller.
Will my direct deposit arrive on time if Thanksgiving falls on payday?
It depends on when your employer submitted the deposit and your bank's processing schedule. If your employer sent the deposit before Thanksgiving, it may arrive on Thursday or Friday. If they sent it on Thanksgiving, it will likely arrive on Friday or Monday. Contact your employer's payroll department if you are unsure when they submit deposits around holidays.
What if I need to dispute a charge on Thanksgiving?
You cannot resolve a dispute with a teller on Thanksgiving, but you can call your bank's customer service line — though wait times will be longer. Some banks have 24/7 fraud lines. If the charge is fraudulent, you can also report it through your mobile app or online banking portal, and the bank will investigate after the holiday.
Do credit unions close on Thanksgiving?
Most credit unions close on Thanksgiving, but not all. Some stay open with limited hours. Check your credit union's website or call ahead to confirm their holiday schedule. Their ATMs will work regardless of branch hours.
Can I transfer money between banks on Thanksgiving?
You can initiate the transfer through your bank's app or website, but it will not actually move until Friday at the earliest. The Federal Reserve does not process transfers on federal holidays, so the money will sit in your account until the banking system reopens.