Most banks close on President's Day, but the timing and what stays open depends on which bank you use

Yes, most banks in the United States close on President's Day, which falls on the third Monday in February. The Federal Reserve observes it as a holiday, which means the banking system itself shuts down — no wire transfers move between banks that day, no ACH payments process, and no check clearing happens. Your own bank's branches will be closed, and you won't be able to visit a teller or use the drive-through.

What you can still do depends on your bank. Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs typically stay available because they run on your bank's own systems, not the shared infrastructure that closes. You can check your balance, move money between your own accounts, and withdraw cash from an ATM. What you cannot do is send money to another bank, deposit a check, or conduct any transaction that requires the Federal Reserve or another institution to process it on that day.

Some banks — particularly large national ones — may keep a small number of branches open on President's Day, though this is uncommon. Call your specific branch or check your bank's website to confirm whether yours is among them. Credit unions follow the same Federal Reserve holiday schedule, so they close too.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank branches close on President's Day because the Federal Reserve observes it as a federal holiday, halting all inter-bank transactions.
  • ATMs and online banking remain available on President's Day, so you can withdraw cash and check balances without visiting a branch.
  • Wire transfers, ACH payments, and check deposits will not process on President's Day — they queue up and process the next business day.
  • A very small number of large banks may keep select branches open, but you should confirm with your specific branch rather than assume.

What the Federal Reserve closure actually stops

When the Federal Reserve closes on President's Day, it stops the machinery that moves money between banks. This affects wire transfers, ACH transfers (the system that handles direct deposits, bill payments, and most online transfers), and check clearing. If you initiate a wire transfer on President's Day, it will not leave your bank until the next business day. If your employer normally deposits your paycheck on a Monday that falls on President's Day, the deposit will arrive on Tuesday instead.

Your bank's own internal systems keep running. You can transfer money from your checking account to your savings account, move funds between accounts you own at the same bank, and see your current balance. These transactions happen entirely within your bank's computers and do not require the Federal Reserve to process them.

ATMs and online banking on President's Day

ATMs operate independently of the Federal Reserve's schedule. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks (though the bank won't process them until the next business day), and check your balance on President's Day just as you would any other day. The ATM connects to your bank's system, not to the Federal Reserve, so the holiday does not affect it.

Online and mobile banking work the same way. You can log in, view transactions, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills through your bank's website or app. The transaction will sit in a queue if it involves another bank — for example, a bill payment to an outside company — and process once the Federal Reserve reopens on Tuesday.

When payments you send on President's Day actually move

Any payment that leaves your bank on President's Day will not reach its destination until the next business day. This includes wire transfers, ACH payments, bill payments sent through your bank's bill pay system, and checks you deposit. If you send a wire transfer on Monday, February 17 (President's Day), it will process on Tuesday, February 18. If you deposit a check on President's Day, it will not clear until the next business day.

This matters if you are trying to pay a bill by a specific important date. If a payment is due on Tuesday and you send it on President's Day, it will likely arrive late. The safer approach is to send it on Friday before the holiday, or wait until Tuesday after the holiday if the important date allows.

Direct deposits and payroll on President's Day

If your employer normally deposits your paycheck on a Monday that falls on President's Day, the deposit will arrive on Tuesday instead. Most employers know about the Federal Reserve holiday and adjust their payroll processing accordingly, so your check will not be delayed — it will straightforward arrive one day later than usual. You should see it in your account by Tuesday morning.

If you have automatic bill payments or recurring transfers set to go out on President's Day, they will process on the next business day. Check your bank's bill pay calendar or contact customer service if you are unsure whether a specific payment will be delayed.

Which banks stay open on President's Day

The vast majority of banks close all branches on President's Day. Some of the largest national banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank — occasionally keep a small number of branches open in major cities, but this is not standard practice and varies by location. You cannot assume your branch will be open.

The best way to find out is to search your bank's website for "holiday hours" or call your specific branch directly. Many banks post their President's Day hours online a week or two in advance. If you need to conduct a transaction that requires a teller — depositing a large check, opening a new account, or getting a cashier's check — plan to do it on Friday before the holiday or Tuesday after.

Planning around President's Day closures

If you know you will need to move money between banks or deposit a check, do it on Friday before President's Day. Wire transfers initiated on Friday will process by end of business Friday or early Monday morning, depending on the time you send them. Checks deposited on Friday will clear by Tuesday or Wednesday.

If you are expecting a direct deposit or automatic payment on President's Day, assume it will arrive on Tuesday instead and plan your cash flow accordingly. If you need cash, withdraw it from an ATM on Friday or use the ATM on President's Day itself — ATMs work on the holiday even though branches do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on President's Day?

Yes. Your debit card works at any merchant on President's Day because the transaction processes through the merchant's payment network, not through the Federal Reserve. The transaction will appear in your account when ready or within a few hours. You can also use your card at ATMs to withdraw cash.

Will my paycheck arrive late if it is scheduled for President's Day?

Most employers adjust their payroll schedule so checks deposit on Friday before the holiday or Tuesday after, depending on the company's normal cycle. Contact your payroll department if you are unsure, but in most cases your check will arrive on time — just one day earlier or later than usual.

What if I need to deposit a check on President's Day?

You can deposit a check through an ATM on President's Day, and the bank will process it the next business day. If you need the funds to clear quickly, deposit it on Friday before the holiday instead. Checks deposited on Friday typically clear by Tuesday.

Do credit unions close on President's Day?

Yes, credit unions follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule and close on President's Day. The same rules explore — ATMs work, online banking works, but wire transfers and inter-bank payments will not process until Tuesday.

Can I send a wire transfer on President's Day?

You can initiate a wire transfer through your bank's website or app on President's Day, but it will not actually send until Tuesday when the Federal Reserve reopens. If you need the money to arrive on a specific day, send the wire on Friday before the holiday instead.