Most banks close on Thanksgiving Day, but some branches may have limited hours

Thanksgiving Day is a federal holiday, and most banks treat it the same way they treat Christmas or New Year's Day: they close entirely. Your local branch will not be open, and you will not be able to visit a teller, use the drive-through, or access the vault. ATMs and online banking will work normally, but in-person services stop.

The day after Thanksgiving—the Friday after the fourth Thursday in November—banks reopen at their regular hours. Some banks open at 9 a.m., others at 10 a.m. Check your bank's website or call ahead if you need to know the exact time for your branch.

A small number of banks operate on a different schedule. Some credit unions or smaller regional banks may have different holiday policies, so if you bank somewhere other than a major national chain, confirm their Thanksgiving schedule directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks close entirely on Thanksgiving Day; no teller services, drive-through, or in-person access will be available.
  • ATMs and online banking work on Thanksgiving, so you can withdraw cash, check balances, and transfer money without visiting a branch.
  • Banks reopen the day after Thanksgiving at their regular weekday hours, typically 9 a.m. or 10 a.m.
  • Credit unions and smaller banks may have different holiday schedules, so check directly with your institution if you are unsure.

What you can and cannot do on Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day itself, you can use any ATM your bank operates or that is part of your bank's network. You can also log into your online banking account, check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up bill payments. Mobile apps work the same way.

What you cannot do is speak to a person, deposit a check in person, withdraw a large amount of cash from a teller, or handle any transaction that requires a banker's signature or verification. If you need cash before Thanksgiving, withdraw it on Wednesday. If you need to deposit a check, use mobile deposit (most banks let you photograph the check through their app) or wait until Friday.

Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on Thanksgiving may not process until Friday or later, depending on your bank. The Federal Reserve does not operate on federal holidays, so any transfer that touches the Fed's system will queue up and process when the Fed reopens.

Planning ahead for the Thanksgiving week

If you know you will need cash, get it on Wednesday before the holiday. ATMs have daily withdrawal limits—usually $500 to $1,000 depending on your account type—so if you need more than that, visit a teller on Wednesday afternoon.

If you need to deposit a check, use your bank's mobile deposit feature if you have it. Photograph the front and back of the check through the app, and the bank will process it when they reopen. If your bank does not offer mobile deposit, you will need to wait until Friday morning.

If you are expecting a direct deposit or a payment that normally arrives on Thursday, check with your employer or the payer. Many companies shift Thursday payroll to Wednesday or Friday during holiday weeks. Your bank's website usually shows a holiday schedule that tells you when deposits will post.

What happens to checks and transfers during the holiday

A check you deposit on Friday will not clear until Monday or Tuesday, depending on the check's origin bank. The Thanksgiving closure adds an extra day to the normal clearing process because the Federal Reserve is closed Thursday and Friday is a regular business day but comes right after the holiday.

If you write a check on Thanksgiving, it will not clear until the recipient's bank deposits it, which is likely Friday at the earliest. The check itself is valid; it just sits in the recipient's mailbox or inbox until they can deposit it.

ACH transfers (the system banks use to move money between accounts) initiated on Thanksgiving will not process until Friday or later. If you need money to move by a specific date, initiate the transfer on Wednesday instead.

Different rules for different bank types

National banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all close on Thanksgiving. Regional banks like PNC, U.S. Bank, and KeyBank also close. Credit unions vary: most close on Thanksgiving, but some stay open with reduced hours. Call your credit union directly to confirm.

Online-only banks like Ally, Charles Schwab Bank, and Discover do not have physical branches, so the concept of "closed" does not explore the same way. You can still access your account, withdraw money from ATMs, and transfer funds. However, customer service phone lines may have reduced staffing or be closed entirely.

If you bank with a smaller regional or community bank, check their website or call the branch. Some have different holiday schedules than the major chains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on Thanksgiving?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant, ATM, or online retailer on Thanksgiving. The bank's branch closure does not affect card transactions. You can also use your credit card normally.

Will my paycheck deposit on Thanksgiving if my employer pays me that day?

Most employers shift Thursday payroll to Wednesday or Friday during Thanksgiving week. Check your pay stub or ask payroll. If your employer does pay on Thursday, the deposit will likely post Friday morning when the bank reopens, not on Thursday itself.

What if I need to report fraud on Thanksgiving?

Call your bank's fraud line. Most banks staff their fraud departments 24/7, even on holidays. The number is usually on the back of your debit card. If you cannot reach anyone, you can also report it through your online banking account or mobile app.

Do banks open earlier or later the day after Thanksgiving?

No. Banks open at their regular weekday hours on Friday after Thanksgiving, usually 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. Some branches may have extended hours that day to handle the extra volume, but this varies by location. Call ahead if you need to know your specific branch's hours.

Can I get a cashier's check on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving?

Yes. Visit your branch on Wednesday afternoon and request a cashier's check. The teller will issue it when ready. This is a good strategy if you need a may provide payment method before the holiday.