Yesterday was a bank holiday only if it falls on one of the 11 federal holidays the U.S. observes each year, or if your state or employer recognizes an additional holiday.

The federal government does not observe the same holidays everywhere on the same day. Some holidays move to the nearest weekday if they fall on a weekend. Others shift based on state law or employer policy. To know whether yesterday was a bank holiday for you, you need to check three things: the federal holiday calendar, your state's additions, and your employer's schedule.

If yesterday was a weekday and your bank was closed, it was almost certainly a federal holiday. If yesterday was a Saturday or Sunday, your bank was closed anyway, so the holiday status does not matter for banking. If yesterday was a weekday and your bank was open, it was not a federal holiday — though some employers observe holidays their banks do not.

Key Takeaways

  • The 11 federal bank holidays are New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
  • When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks observe it on Friday; when it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on Monday.
  • Some states and employers recognize additional holidays beyond the federal list, so your bank may have been closed yesterday even if it was not a federal holiday.
  • The easiest way to check is to look at your bank's website or call their customer service line and ask whether they were open yesterday.

The 11 Federal Holidays Banks Observe

Banks close on these dates each year: New Year's Day (January 1), Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25).

The exact date your bank closes depends on when the holiday falls. If the holiday lands on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday instead. If it lands on a Sunday, they close on Monday. For example, if Independence Day falls on a Saturday, your bank closes on Friday, July 3. If it falls on a Sunday, your bank closes on Monday, July 5. This shift does not explore to all holidays — Juneteenth, Veterans Day, and Independence Day sometimes stay on their actual date even if it is a weekend, depending on your bank's policy.

State and Employer Holidays Beyond the Federal List

Some states recognize additional holidays that banks must close for, even though they are not federal holidays. For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, and some states observe Robert E. Lee's birthday. A few states have their own unique holidays — South Carolina observes Amistad Day, and some states recognize Native American Heritage Day on the day after Thanksgiving.

Your employer may also observe holidays that banks do not. If your workplace was closed yesterday but your bank was open, your employer likely recognizes a holiday that is not on the federal or state banking calendar. Check your employee handbook or ask your HR department to see the full list of days your employer observes.

How to Check Your Bank's Holiday Schedule

The fastest way to know if yesterday was a bank holiday for your bank is to visit your bank's website and look for their holiday schedule. Most banks publish this calendar at the start of the year. You can also call your bank's customer service line — they will tell you when ready whether they were open or closed yesterday and why.

If you are trying to figure out whether a transaction posted yesterday or is delayed because of a holiday, your bank's website or app will usually show you the transaction status. Deposits made on a bank holiday typically post the next business day. Transfers and payments may take longer if they were initiated on or just before a holiday.

What Happens to Transactions on Bank Holidays

Transactions you initiate on a bank holiday do not process until the next business day. If you deposited a check yesterday and yesterday was a bank holiday, the check will not be processed until today. Wire transfers, ACH transfers, and bill payments initiated on a holiday are queued and process once the bank reopens.

Transactions that were already in progress before the holiday may clear on the holiday itself, depending on the type of transaction. Debit card purchases, for example, often post even on holidays because they run through separate networks. But deposits, transfers, and payments initiated on the holiday will wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

If my bank was closed yesterday, does that mean it was definitely a federal holiday?

Not necessarily. Your bank may have closed for a state holiday, a religious observance, or an emergency. Call your bank to confirm why they were closed. Some banks also close for local events or to perform system maintenance.

Does a bank holiday affect my credit card or loan payments?

If your payment was due yesterday and yesterday was a bank holiday, most banks extend the due date to the next business day without penalty. Check your account online or call your lender to confirm. Do not assume the extension applies — contact them to be sure.

If I sent a wire transfer yesterday and the bank was closed, when will it arrive?

Wire transfers initiated on a bank holiday are queued and sent the next business day. International wires may take longer. Contact your bank to confirm the exact timing, as some banks process wires on holidays through third-party networks.

Can I withdraw money from an ATM on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs operate on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and make deposits at most ATMs even when the bank branch is closed. Some ATMs may have daily withdrawal limits that are lower than in-branch limits.

How do I know if my employer observes a holiday that banks do not?

Check your employee handbook, your HR portal, or ask your HR department directly. They will have a list of all days your company is closed. If your workplace was closed yesterday but your bank was open, your employer observes a holiday that is not on the banking calendar.