Why Banks are Closed on Federal Holidays
What are Federal Holidays?
Federal holidays are designated by the U.S. government to recognize significant historical events, national figures, or cultural traditions. These holidays are observed across the country, and many government offices, including the Federal Reserve, close in observance. When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, generally banks will close on Saturday. If the federal holiday falls on a Sunday, the Federal Reserve generally observes the holiday on the following Monday.
Why Do Banks Close On Federal Holidays?
Banks follow the holiday schedule set by the Federal Reserve System, which is the central bank of the United States. Key banking functions such as wire transfers, check clearing and ACH transactions are paused when the Federal Reserve is closed. If we chose to stay open on a federal holiday, we wouldn’t be able to process many of the services customers depend on.
Additionally, closing on these holidays allows our employees a day off to spend with their families – which is something we value here at Pennian Bank.
Pennian Bank’s 2026–2027 Holiday Schedule
2026
- New Year’s Day — Thursday, January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Monday, January 19
- Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday) — Monday, February 16
- Memorial Day — Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth — Friday, June 19
- Independence Day — observed Friday, July 3 (July 4 falls on a Saturday)
- Labor Day — Monday, September 7
- Columbus Day — Monday, October 12
- Veterans Day — Wednesday, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, November 26
- Christmas Day — Friday, December 25
2027
- New Year’s Day — Friday, January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Monday, January 18
- Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday) — Monday, February 15
- Memorial Day — Monday, May 31
- Juneteenth — observed Friday, June 18 (June 19 falls on a Saturday)
- Independence Day — observed Monday, July 5 (July 4 falls on a Sunday)
- Labor Day — Monday, September 6
- Columbus Day — Monday, October 11
- Veterans Day — Thursday, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, November 25
- Christmas Day — observed Friday, December 24 (December 25 falls on a Saturday)
How can you still bank with us on a Federal Holiday?
Even when our lobbies are closed, you can still use our Online and Mobile Banking to check balances, transfer funds and pay bills. Please keep in mind that some transactions may not be processed until the Federal Reserve opens. For instance, if you deposit a check using our mobile app on a Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday, the deposit will not post until the next business day. Wires will not be processed until the next business day, as well.
For cash, you can visit any Pennian Bank ATM or we offer surcharge free ATMs thanks to our participation with MoneyPass ATM network. Find an ATM in our network.
Plan ahead.
We recommend keeping a copy of our holiday calendar handy so you can plan important transactions in advance. And as always, if you need any assistance, we are here to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do banks get federal holidays off?
Yes. Nearly all U.S. banks, including Pennian Bank, close their lobbies on the 11 federal holidays recognized by the Federal Reserve System each year.
Why do banks close on federal holidays?
Banks follow the Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule because core banking functions — wire transfers, check clearing, and ACH transactions — run through the Federal Reserve. When the Fed is closed, those services pause, so most banks close their branches too.
What holidays are banks closed for?
Banks are closed for the 11 federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
Are banks closed on federal holidays even if I bank online?
Your bank’s physical branches are closed, but Online and Mobile Banking are still available for checking balances, transferring funds, and paying bills. Keep in mind that transactions like mobile check deposits and wire transfers won’t post until the next business day the Federal Reserve is open.
Why are so many federal holidays on a Monday?
Congress moved several federal holidays — including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day — to Mondays under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The goal was to create predictable three-day weekends for federal employees, which is why banks following the federal schedule are closed on those particular Mondays.
