Most banks are closed on President's Day, but some branches and services stay open
President's Day is a federal holiday, and most traditional banks treat it the same way they treat other federal holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas — they close their physical branches. If you need to deposit a check, withdraw cash, or speak to someone in person, your bank will almost certainly be closed on President's Day.
That said, "closed" does not mean you have zero access to your money. ATMs run 24/7 regardless of the holiday. Online banking, mobile apps, and phone lines stay open. Some banks operate limited Saturday hours on the Monday of President's Day weekend as a workaround. And if you bank with a credit union or online-only bank, the rules can differ.
Key Takeaways
- Physical bank branches close on President's Day because it is a federal holiday, but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- You can still withdraw cash, check balances, transfer money, and pay bills through ATMs, apps, and websites on President's Day.
- Some banks open on the Saturday before President's Day or offer extended hours the day before to give customers access to tellers.
- Credit unions and online banks may have different holiday schedules, so check your specific institution rather than assuming closure.
- Checks deposited on President's Day through mobile deposit or ATM will process the next business day, not when ready.
What stays open: ATMs, apps, and online banking
Your bank's ATM network does not shut down for federal holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks through an ATM envelope, transfer money between accounts, and check your balance at any hour on President's Day. Mobile deposit — taking a photo of a check through your bank's app — also works on the holiday itself, though the check will not clear until the next business day.
Online banking portals and mobile apps remain active. You can pay bills, move money between accounts, set up transfers, and review transactions without any interruption. Phone banking lines typically stay staffed, though wait times may be longer than usual because fewer staff are working. If you need to speak to someone about a fraud claim or urgent account issue, calling your bank's customer service number is worth trying.
What closes: In-person banking and teller services
You cannot walk into a branch and speak to a teller on President's Day. Loan officers, account managers, and customer service desks are not staffed. If you need to open a new account, explore for a credit card, discuss a mortgage, or handle something that requires a signature or in-person verification, you will need to wait until the next business day.
Wire transfers initiated through a teller also cannot happen on President's Day, though some banks allow you to schedule a wire in advance through online banking to process the next business day. Cashier's checks and certified checks require a teller, so those are not available either.
How major banks handle President's Day hours
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all close their branches on President's Day. However, many of these banks open on the Saturday before President's Day (or the Saturday of that weekend) to give customers a chance to handle in-person business. Check your bank's website or call ahead to confirm whether your specific branch is open that Saturday.
Some regional banks follow the same pattern. Others may have slightly different policies depending on the state or local holiday observance. The safest approach is to visit your bank's website, use the branch locator tool, and click on your branch to see its holiday hours. Most banks post President's Day hours at least a week in advance.
Credit unions and online banks may have different schedules
Credit unions are not required to follow the same federal holiday calendar as traditional banks. Some close on President's Day; others stay open. A few credit unions operate seven days a week with limited staffing. Check your credit union's website or call the main line to confirm whether your branch will be open.
Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover Bank do not have physical branches, so the concept of "closed" does not explore in the same way. You can conduct all banking through their apps and websites on President's Day. However, if you need to mail something or handle a transaction that requires mailed documentation, that process will be delayed because mail does not move on federal holidays.
What to do if you need cash or a deposit before President's Day
If you know you will need cash or need to deposit a check before the holiday, plan ahead. Deposit checks through mobile deposit or an ATM the day before — they will process the next business day regardless. Withdraw cash the day before if you think you will need it over the weekend and Monday.
If you realize on President's Day itself that you need cash and your ATM is out of service or you have hit your withdrawal limit, some grocery stores and retailers offer cash back with a debit card purchase. This is not ideal, but it works in a pinch. For anything that requires a teller or a signature, you will have to wait until Tuesday.
Checks and transfers: when they actually process
A check you deposit on President's Day — whether through an ATM, mobile deposit, or a teller the day before — will not clear until Wednesday at the earliest. The bank counts President's Day as a non-business day, so the processing clock does not start until Tuesday. This matters if you are counting on that money being available quickly.
ACH transfers (the standard electronic transfer between banks) also pause over federal holidays. If you initiate a transfer on President's Day through online banking, it will process on Tuesday and typically arrive by Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the receiving bank. Wire transfers are faster but require a teller, so you cannot send one on the holiday itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on President's Day?
Yes. Debit cards work at merchants, ATMs, and online retailers on President's Day with no interruption. The holiday only affects your bank's physical branch and teller services, not the card networks themselves.
Will my direct deposit hit my account on President's Day?
No. Direct deposits scheduled for President's Day will arrive on Tuesday instead. Your employer's payroll system treats the holiday as a non-business day and delays the deposit by one day.
What if I need to report fraud on President's Day?
Call your bank's customer service line — most banks staff fraud departments on holidays. If you cannot reach anyone, document the fraudulent transaction and call first thing Tuesday morning. Federal law gives you up to 60 days to report unauthorized charges, so one day of delay will not hurt your claim.
Are bank wire transfers available on President's Day?
No. Wire transfers require a teller and cannot be processed on federal holidays. If you need to send money urgently, use an online transfer service like PayPal or Wise, which operate independently of bank holiday schedules.
Do credit card payments process on President's Day?
Online credit card payments submitted through your card issuer's website or app on President's Day will process on Tuesday. If you are close to a due date, submit the payment the day before to avoid any risk of a late fee.