Are Banks Closed on Christmas Day 2021?

While Christmas Day is traditionally spent with family and friends, that doesn’t mean some people wouldn’t like to handle some errands. In certain cases, the idea of heading to the bank might be appealing, particularly since it’s easy to assume that branches wouldn’t be as crowded. However, since banks aren’t usually open on holidays, you may be wondering, “Is the bank closed on Christmas Day 2021?” If so, here’s what you need to know.

Are Banks Closed on Christmas Day 2021?

Yes, banks are closed on Christmas Day. Typically, banks close on holidays that are recognized by the federal government. Since Christmas is on the federal holiday calendar, banks usually aren’t open. You won’t be able to get assistance from tellers, and many transactions won’t process fully until the next business day, even if you are able to initiate them on the holiday.

Are Credit Unions Closed on Christmas Day?

Yes, like banks, credit unions will close on Christmas Day. They typically follow the federal holiday schedule as well, so they won’t be welcoming customers on December 25.

Are Banks and Credit Unions Closed on Christmas Eve 2021?

Typically, banks and credit unions are open on Christmas Eve. However, 2021 is a little unique, making this question challenging to answer.

The main issue is that Christmas Day falls on a Saturday in 2021. That means the federal government observes the holiday on Friday, December 24. Since some banks and credit unions are open on Saturdays, the Federal Reserve holiday calendar lists December 25 as the holiday. However, some banks and credit unions may follow the federal government’s lead and shut down on Christmas Eve along with Christmas Day.

Whether your bank or credit union opens could depend on whether Saturday hours are typically available, as those that aren’t open on Saturdays will likely shut down on Christmas Eve. However, even that isn’t entirely certain. As a result, it’s best to check your preferred branch’s schedule if you may need to bank on Christmas Eve.

Will Banks and Credit Unions Open on the Day After Christmas in 2021?

While banks and credit unions are usually open on the day after Christmas, they’ll be closed on December 26, 2021. However, that has nothing to do with the holiday. Instead, it’s because the day after Christmas falls on a Sunday, a day when banks and credit unions are typically closed.

The only exceptions may be branches that usually welcome customers on Sundays. Still, it may be best to check in advance to confirm whether your bank or credit union will operate using their typical Sunday hours, just to be safe.

How to Handle Transactions on Christmas Day

While banks and credit unions are usually closed on Christmas Day, that doesn’t mean you can’t handle certain transactions. For example, many banks and credit unions have ATMs that are accessible at all times, including when the branch is closed. As a result, you may be able to head to an ATM to withdraw cash, check your balance, or even make a deposit.

Online banking and app-based services may also be available. You can deposit checks using your smartphone, arrange for bill paying, initiate transfers, and more. However, the transaction itself may not finalize until the next business day, at the earliest. Since the day after Christmas is a Sunday, that means it might not go through entirely until Monday, December 27, 2021.

2022 Bank and Credit Union Holiday Schedule

In most cases, banks and credit unions use the same holiday schedule as the federal government. As a result, it’s possible to determine when a branch is likely to close by referencing the federal calendar.

Here is an overview of a typical bank and credit union holiday schedule for 2022:

New Year’s Day – Friday, December 31, 2021 (Observed)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 17, 2022
President’s Day – Monday, February 21, 2022
Memorial Day – Monday, May 30, 2022
Juneteenth – Monday, June 20, 2022 (Observed)
Independence Day – Monday, July 4, 2022
Labor Day – Monday, September 5, 2022
Columbus Day – Monday, October 10, 2022
Veterans Day – Friday, November 11, 2022
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 24, 2022
Christmas Day – Monday, December 26, 2022 (Observed)

It is important to note that there can be exceptions. As a result, if you need to handle transactions on a holiday, it’s best to check with your nearest branch in advance to confirm whether it’ll be open on closed.

Have you ever wished the bank was open on Christmas Day or is banking usually the farthest thing from your mind? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Tamila McDonald

Tamila McDonald has worked as a Financial Advisor for the military for past 13 years. She has taught Personal Financial classes on every subject from credit, to life insurance, as well as all other aspects of financial management. Mrs. McDonald is an AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor and has helped her clients to meet their short-term and long-term financial goals.

Are Banks Closed on Christmas Day 2021?