Heading into a holiday weekend can get hectic very fast—we’ve all been there with the shopping rush and family plans. It’s pretty important to know when your bank will be open, considering you’ll need to grab some cash for shopping.

Let me help you plan ahead by sharing which holidays banks typically close for, plus some easy ways to get money when they’re not open…

I know you’re eager to get all the information you’ll need to make the best decisions so let’s just dive right in.

Key Takeaways

Is Black Friday a Bank Holiday?

Black Friday is not a federal or bank holiday, despite its well-known moniker. People may treat the day as a retail holiday to take advantage of deals ahead of Christmas, but the government does not recognize it.

So in simple terms, no, Black Friday is not a bank holiday. However there are some exceptions.

• It’s possible that these banks have shortened hours, so you may want to call your ahead of time to find out what the day’s hours are.
• The day after Thanksgiving is a state holiday in about half of the U.S. states. Because of this, some banks and credit unions in these places may have to close.
• Bank offices that are inside of other businesses, like those in supermarkets and on college campuses, might close too if the other businesses are shut down.
• Schools and colleges are among the few sectors in the country that combine Black Friday with Thanksgiving break, giving students a four-day weekend.

Like I earlier mentioned, some U.S states combine Thanksgiving and Black Friday as holidays. I have listed these states below:

States That Consider Black Friday a Holiday

State-Specific Black Friday Bank Guide

Select your state to see if banks are affected on Black Friday:

Are banks open on Thanksgiving?

On Thanksgiving, all banks will be closed. The majority of banks and credit unions follow the Federal Reserve System’s holiday schedule, which includes Thanksgiving as a bank holiday.

On Thanksgiving, all branches will be closed. Banking transactions with an online financial institution may also be delayed until the next business day.

Meanwhile, you can also go over our article on what’s open on Thanksgiving Day to find out more information.

Are Banks Open on Black Friday?

Most banks will be open because Black Friday is not a federal holiday and not on the Federal Reserve System’s holiday schedule.

Again, there may be some exceptions. Schools First Federal Credit Union, Democracy Federal Credit Union, and Centinel Bank of Taos, for example, all include the day after Thanksgiving in their calendars. If you bank locally, check your bank’s holiday schedule online or call your nearest branch before the holidays.

When Do the Banks Close?

On federal holidays, financial institutions are closed. Most have a holiday schedule on their website, so you can plan ahead of time.

Some brick-and-mortar banks keep a list of frequently asked questions on their website. Others, like TD Bank and Regions Bank, have separate pages listing bank holidays. Brick-and-mortar banks will close all their branches or change their hours during these holidays. The hours of customer service may also differ depending on where you bank.

Although online banks typically do not have physical branch locations, you may still be affected. Transactions may be delayed until the following day if an online bank observes a holiday.

Customer service availability with online banks is usually consistent, but there are some exceptions. Except for the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, Capital One 360 provides customer service support on all holidays.

The majority of banks follow the Federal Reserve System’s holiday schedule which does not account for Black Friday. The holiday schedule for 2024 and 2025 is as follows:

Please keep in mind that if a holiday falls on a Saturday, the bank will remain open on Friday. However, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the bank will be closed on Monday.

With a few exceptions, the stock market is open on the same days as banks.

National Banks Open on Black Friday

On Black Friday, most big national banks stay open. Customers are expected to be able to go to branches of:

• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo
• Chase
• Citi
• U.S. Bank
• PNC Bank
• Capital One
• TD Bank
• BB&T
• Fifth Third Bank

As always, it’s best to check with area branches. But big banks know that customers may need help in person, even when stores are busy.

Getting Ready for Black Friday Shopping

Here are some tips to help you get into banks on Black Friday:

• Check with your bank about their holiday policies and branch hours.
• Sign up for online banking and get the app for your bank.
• Find close ATMs if you need cash.
• Send money to digital wallets or accounts ahead of time.
• Send money to other people by downloading peer-to-peer payment apps.
• Plan ahead to pay your bills online.

Using the ease of doing things online can also make visits in person pointless. If buyers plan ahead, they can focus on sales instead of checking to see if their bank is open on Black Friday.

Do transactions go through on bank holidays?

Most banking transactions are not processed on bank holidays, whether you use an online or traditional bank.

Ally Bank, for example, does not allow money-related transactions on federal holidays. Chime, an online banking platform, also lists holidays when direct deposits cannot be processed.

Transactions at traditional banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America will not be processed until the following business day. Weekdays are considered business days when branches are open.

Instead of relying on a sluggish direct deposit, you should devise a backup plan in case the transaction is delayed.

Read Also: What Stores Are Having Black Friday Sales 2024/2025: Detailed List

Where can I get cash when banks are closed?

Although branches are closed on federal holidays, ATMs are not. You can still withdraw cash during the holidays if you have a debit or ATM card.

If you’re out of town, a debit card can be used to get cash back at a store if there aren’t any free ATMs nearby. You won’t have to pay an out-of-network ATM fee if your bank doesn’t reimburse charges this way.

How can I cash a personal check when banks are closed?

If you get a personal check during the holidays, there are a few ways to get your money quickly.

You can cash the check at a store if you need money quickly.

Some ATMs allow you to cash or deposit checks, but you may need those funds already in your account. If your bank’s ATM network does not allow you to make check transactions, you can deposit the check online or via mobile, then cash it out at an ATM.

Because funds are unlikely to be available right away, this option is best if you prefer to keep your money safe in your account and don’t mind waiting a day or two.

Using an ATM on a Federal Bank Holiday

Although bank branches are closed on holidays, ATMs are not. You will be able to view your account balance and withdraw cash. As an added bonus, some banks have 24-hour ATMs.

Paying a Bill on a Bank Holiday

If you have an automated bill payment that falls on a Federal Reserve holiday, the payment will not be processed until the following business day, which may result in late fees if you miss the due date. On bank holidays, all withdrawals will be halted. Make sure to plan ahead of time for bills that fall on these holidays so that your payments are received on time.

Chase Bank Holiday Hours 2024/2025

Except for Columbus Day, Chase is generally closed on most holidays. They do not always open and close their doors at the same times as other financial institutions. The following are the major bank holidays to be aware of, as well as Chase Bank’s holiday hours for those dates.

Is the post office open on Thanksgiving?

Except for “Express Critical” items, UPS will not deliver on Thanksgiving, but the company says delivery and pickup services will resume on Black Friday.

Tips for Getting into Your Bank Account (on Thanksgiving

#1. ATMs:

ATMs are your best bet when you need to get cash on Thanksgiving Day. These ATMs can be found in any bank with a physical site. Most of the time, you can find these at bank branches and stand-alone locations. Some may also work with a bigger ATM network, such as Allpoint. To get cash from an ATM, all you’ll need is a bank card.

#2. Online Banking:

The fastest way to check your account amount or history of transactions, move money between accounts, or pay your bills is to use online banking. This service is offered at almost all banks and can be very helpful. Most mobile banking apps offer many of the same benefits, such as the ability to pay checks from your phone and find nearby ATMs. These kinds of gifts could save lives on Thanksgiving.

#3. Mobile Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps:

Need to borrow money from family or friends to pay for that trip on Black Friday? There are apps for your phone that let you send money, like Venmo and PayPal. A lot of banks are also making their own money transfer apps or working with apps that are already out there. Zelle® is a well-known brand name in this field. You might be able to lend or borrow money from family or friends through your bank’s mobile app.

Why Is It Called Black Friday?

The common narrative surrounding Black Friday is that it is about retailer financial loss and gain, but this may not be the full story.

According to Britannica, Black Friday is commonly referred to when stores operating at a loss (“in the red”) turn a profit (“went into the black”) the day after Thanksgiving, as shoppers spend heavily on discounted goods.

However, another Black Friday myth has emerged in recent years.

The other story takes place in the early 1960s, when Philadelphia police officers coined the phrase “Black Friday” to describe the chaos caused by suburban visitors who came to the city for holiday shopping.

The massive crowds that swarmed the city caused problems for Philadelphia police officers, who were forced to work longer shifts to deal with traffic accidents and shoplifting scofflaws. Despite retailers’ attempts to positively spin the name by referring to it as “Big Friday,” the phrase “Black Friday” had taken root in the local lexicon within a few years.

According to Britannica, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that merchants began to spread the red-to-black story for Black Friday. Since then, the term has become synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving for retail shopping.

Meanwhile, the detailed story is in our “Why Is It Called Black Friday? The Story Behind It!!!” article.

Is Black Friday Really the World’s Largest shopping Day?

Yes, Black Friday is by far the most important shopping day of the year in the United States.

According to the National Retail Federation, over 130 million people plan to shop on Black Friday, a 69% increase from 2022. Cyber Monday is the second most popular shopping day, with 71 million people planning to take advantage of deals.

From Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday, an estimated 182 million people plan to shop both in-store and online.

Related Articles

• Grocery Stores Closed on Thanksgiving Day 2024/2025 (Updated)
• Target Thanksgiving Hours 2024/2025: All You Should Know
• Walmart Thanksgiving Hours: What to Expect in 2024/2025
• Are Banks Open the Day After Thanksgiving 2024/2025? All Should Know

References

• BusinessInsider
• Star-Telegram