Will banks be open on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday: If you’re wondering “Will banks be open on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday in 2025?” — the quick answer is simple:
Banks across the U.S. will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 27, 2025), but most will reopen on Black Friday (Friday, November 28, 2025). However, the story doesn’t stop there. Whether you’re a small business owner managing payroll, a parent budgeting for holiday shopping, or a student waiting for your paycheck, knowing when banks operate can help you avoid unnecessary delays or fees. In this complete guide, we’ll unpack exactly what’s open, what’s closed, why it matters, and how you can plan ahead to keep your finances running smoothly during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Will banks be open on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
To sum it up, banks will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27, 2025) in observance of the federal holiday but will reopen on Black Friday (Nov 28) for regular or slightly shortened hours. ATMs, mobile banking, and online platforms remain active throughout the holiday, ensuring you can still manage your finances conveniently. Planning ahead is key: make transactions before Wednesday, confirm branch hours, and be cautious of online scams. While the traditional “closed bank” holiday still exists, digital tools have made banking more accessible and reliable than ever before. Thanksgiving might pause the physical banking world, but with a little foresight, your money doesn’t have to take the day off.
| Category | Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27, 2025) | Black Friday (Nov 28, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Branches | Closed (Federal Holiday) | Mostly Open |
| ATMs & Mobile Apps | Fully Available | Fully Available |
| Online Banking | Active (delayed processing) | Normal operations |
| Federal Reserve & ACH Payments | Closed | Resumes operations |
| Stock Markets | Closed | Open (shortened hours) |
Thanksgiving Day: A True Federal Holiday
Thanksgiving Day is one of the 11 official federal holidays recognized by the United States government. When the Federal Reserve System closes, the entire banking network pauses. That includes ACH transfers, wire transactions, and clearing houses that process check payments between institutions.
So, on Thursday, November 27, 2025, you can expect:
- All major national banks — including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Capital One — to close.
- Regional and community banks, along with most credit unions, to follow suit.
- No in-person banking services, such as deposits, withdrawals, or account assistance.
ATMs, online portals, and mobile apps will still function, but anything that needs approval or verification from a live representative will be unavailable until the next business day.
Historically, the Thanksgiving closure has been a standard practice since 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday. Over time, the financial sector incorporated Thanksgiving into the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, ensuring consistency across the country.
Black Friday: Not a Federal Holiday
Now, when it comes to Black Friday, things shift back toward normal. Even though it’s one of the busiest shopping days in America, it’s not an official federal holiday. This means banks, post offices, and most businesses reopen for business.
Most national and regional banks — including JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, and PNC — operate on regular hours on Black Friday. However, there are exceptions:
- Some smaller credit unions may observe “day after Thanksgiving” as a state holiday, especially in California, Florida, and Washington.
- Bank branches inside shopping centers or grocery stores may follow shortened hours (for instance, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- Corporate banking departments may work reduced shifts to accommodate employees returning from Thanksgiving travel.
According to Kiplinger’s 2025 banking calendar, nearly 90% of banks reopen fully on Black Friday, with only limited closures in select states.
Why Federal Holidays Affect Banks?
Bank closures aren’t about giving tellers a break — they’re a structural requirement. The U.S. banking system is tightly linked to the Federal Reserve, which acts as the clearinghouse for all interbank payments, including ACH transfers, checks, and wire transactions.
When the Federal Reserve Bank shuts down for a federal holiday:
- Direct deposits may be delayed until the next business day.
- Bill payments scheduled on that date will process later.
- Wire transfers cannot be completed since Fedwire is offline.
This ensures consistency and security across institutions. The result? Banks can’t process critical payments even if they wanted to, so they synchronize with the Federal Reserve’s closure calendar.
If you’re wondering whether this affects your online transactions — yes, it does, but only for the timing. You can still initiate transfers through online banking, but they won’t settle until the Fed system is back in operation.
Will banks be open on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday: What’s Still Working When Banks Are Closed?
Even when the lights are off at your local branch, several financial tools remain at your fingertips:
- ATMs: Most major banks maintain nationwide networks, and you can still deposit or withdraw cash anytime. Just note that cash deposits made on holidays may post the next business day.
- Mobile Banking Apps: You can use apps like Chase Mobile, Bank of America’s app, or Wells Fargo Online to check balances, pay bills, and transfer funds.
- Online Portals: Secure online banking platforms remain active 24/7. You can manage cards, view statements, and handle most routine tasks without delay.
- Customer Support Hotlines: While some call centers operate with reduced staff, most major banks offer phone and chat support even on holidays.
- Credit and Debit Card Transactions: Card payments continue to process in real time, even on holidays, since they use separate networks (VisaNet, Mastercard).
According to the FDIC’s 2024 National Survey, nearly 78% of American adults perform their banking primarily through mobile or online channels, a sharp rise from just 53% in 2019. That means the Thanksgiving closure now impacts fewer people than ever before.
Will banks be open on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday: How to Prepare Financially for Thanksgiving Weekend
If you don’t want to get caught off guard while traveling, shopping, or paying bills, here’s a simple step-by-step plan:
Step 1: Complete Important Transactions by Wednesday, November 26.
Make deposits, initiate wire transfers, and pay time-sensitive bills before the holiday. This ensures processing before the Federal Reserve system pauses.
Step 2: Schedule Automatic Payments Early.
Online bill pay features allow you to set future payment dates. Schedule them for the day before Thanksgiving to avoid late fees.
Step 3: Keep Emergency Cash Ready.
Even though ATMs are available, holiday traffic or technical glitches can cause short-term outages. A small cash reserve keeps you covered.
Step 4: Check Local Bank Hours Online.
Most banks publish updated holiday hours on their websites or Google Business profiles by early November. Always confirm before visiting.
Step 5: Protect Against Holiday Scams.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that online banking scams and phishing attempts spike around holidays. Never click suspicious links or share personal information via text or email.
Step 6: Use Credit or Debit Cards Securely While Shopping.
If you’re hitting the Black Friday sales, monitor your card activity through your bank’s app. Many banks offer real-time fraud alerts and instant card-lock options.
The Rise of Digital Banking and Its Impact
Holiday closures used to create massive inconvenience, but that’s changed dramatically in the past decade. Digital transformation has made banking nearly seamless.
A 2024 Bankrate survey found that over 90% of Americans use online banking weekly, and 65% rely exclusively on mobile apps for daily transactions. The combination of digital wallets, P2P payment apps, and instant transfers means customers can bank anytime, anywhere.
This shift has also changed how banks handle holidays. Many institutions now offer automated processing systems, allowing limited internal functions (like posting certain credit card payments or mobile deposits) even when branches are closed.
Still, interbank transfers that rely on the Federal Reserve — like ACH and wire payments — will always pause during official holidays.
Beyond Banking: Other Financial Services to Watch
It’s not just banks affected by Thanksgiving. Here’s how related services are impacted:
- U.S. Stock Markets (NYSE and NASDAQ): Closed on Thanksgiving and open half-day on Black Friday, usually until 1 p.m. ET.
- Post Offices and Mail Services: Closed on Thanksgiving; reopen on Friday.
- Delivery Companies (UPS, FedEx): Closed on Thursday, with limited operations Friday.
- Government Offices and Courts: Closed on Thanksgiving; most reopen Friday.
- Payment Apps (PayPal, Venmo, Zelle): Available, though transfers between banks may delay until the Fed system reopens.
For business owners and professionals, this means it’s smart to plan payrolls, supplier payments, or deposits around these downtime windows.
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