holiday hours

Are Banks Open or Closed for Memorial Day 2015?

May 21, 2015 By Jeffrey Strain 1 Comment

It can get quite confusing as to what is and isn’t open when the different federal holidays roll about each year. This is because just because a federal holiday is being celebrated doesn’t necessarily mean banks and credit unions will be open or closed on that day. Each financial institution chooses for themselves whether they will be opened or closed for each holiday, and this varies from holiday to holiday. With Memorial Day landing on May 25, 2015, many people will need to know whether or not banks will be opened or closed on Memorial Day.

Are Banks Open on Memorial Day?

No, most banks are closed on Memorial Day.

While it’s still common for banks to be closed on federal holidays, there has been a tiny trickle of banks that remain open on some of these holidays. The best-known bank which often remains open on holidays is TD Bank, but Memorial Day is one of the holidays where even the TD bank closes its branches. That doesn’t mean everything will be closed, but your options will be severely limited. Your best bet at finding a bank that’s open is one that is located within a large retail store which will remain open on Memorial Day.

Open Banks

US Bank: Branches may be open until 2 pm (call to confirm)
PNC Bank: Supermarket branches only will be open
SunTrust: Only In-store branches will be open

Some US Bank branches may operate on limited hours on Memorial Day until 2:00 PM, but if you have a branch in your area, you should call to confirm. PNC Bank and SunTrust branches located in retail stores and supermarkets will be open, but they may have limited hours.

Closed Banks

Bank of America
Capital One
Chase
Citibank
HSBC
PNC Bank: Regular branches
SunTrust: Regular branches
TD Bank
Wells Fargo

Are Credit Unions Open On Memorial Day?

No, most credit unions are closed on Memorial Day.

Credit unions are similar to banks when it comes to federal holidays, and the vast majority of them remain closed to observe the holiday. There may be some regional credit unions which remain open, but this will be the exception to the rule rather than the rule itself. There’s also a better chance that credit unions located in retail outlets such as grocery stores may be open for limited hours on Memorial Day. If you are unsure whether or not a local credit union will be open or not, you should always call to confirm so that you don’t waste your time.

Even though most banking credit union branches will be closed on May 25, 2015, that doesn’t mean you will be unable to do any banking. Many basic banking services do not require you to go into a bank branch these days. If you have some type of banking to do, there’s a good possibility you may be able to get it done by using the bank’s ATM machines, going to the bank’s website, or using the banks cell phone app. Many times you can bank 24 hours a day, seven days a week using these alternatives to the bank branch. While you won’t be able to do all banking transactions this way, most basic transactions can now be performed this way.

Those who do use the bank’s website, ATM machine, or phone app need to realize any transaction performed may not be instantly available. For example, those who deposit a check using one of these methods may not have immediate access to the funds of the check, and will have to wait for the check to clear. Other transactions may not hit the bank’s records until the following business day.

(Photo courtesy of Jeff Turner)

What’s Open and Closed on Easter Sunday 2016

April 3, 2015 By Jeffrey Strain 16 Comments

This article has been updated for Easter 2016

Even though Easter is a religious holiday, and not a federal holiday, it’s still a holiday celebrated by many people in the United States. Due to this, it can get confusing as to what places will and won’t be open for the holiday. Below lists some of the places you can expect to be open on March 27, 2016, and those places which will be closed.

Retail Stores

Large retail stores may be open or closed on Easter. This is really on a case by case with retailers splitting on whether to stay open or not on March 27. Some big name stores remain closed (Costco and Target are two), while others like Walmart stay open. For those wanting to know if a particular retail store will be open, visit the list of stores open and closed on Easter.

Drug Stores

Drug stores are open on Easter. If you have one of the three big drugstore chains (CVS Caremark, Rite Aid and Walgreens) near your house, they will be open on March 27. Drugstores are one of the few full size retailers which stay open 365 days a year.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores may be open or closed depending on the chain. Some grocery store chains close for Easter Sunday, while others remain open. For example, Publix grocery stores close for the holiday, while Safeway and Kroger remain open. If you find you need to make a grocery store run at the last minute, it’s best to call ahead to confirm whether or not your local grocery store is open.

Convenience Stores

Major chain convenience stores are open on Easter. The vast majority of convenience stores (7-11, Circle K, etc.) will remain open on March 27. These stores usually remain open every day of the year.

Restaurants

Restaurants may be open or closed on Easter. It depends on the individual restaurant (or restaurant chain) as to whether or not they will be open on Easter. Some restaurants will have special hours and menus, especially for Easter brunch. The best course of action is to call any restaurant to confirm their Easter hours before going.

Gas Stations

Gas stations will be open on Easter. For those who will be traveling on March 27, there shouldn’t be any issues finding gas. Gas stations will be open for business in most cases, and even if a local one is closed, there should be another nearby that’s open.

Stock Markets

The stock markets are closed on Easter. Since March 27 is a Sunday and the stock markets are closed on Sundays, both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ will be closed for Easter. They will also be closed on Good Friday (March 25) as part of the stock market holiday schedule.

Libraries

Libraries are closed on Easter. If you like to visit your local library on weekends, make sure to note that the library will be closed on March 27.

Schools

Schools are closed on Easter. Since Easter lands on a Sunday, which is a day when schools are typically closed anyway, there are no classes at private and public schools on March 27. Some schools may also be on Spring vacation.

Government Offices

Government offices are closed on Easter. Even though it’s not a federal holiday, since easter is on a Sunday, federal, state and city government offices will be closed. There may be exceptions for essential government workers such as police and firefighters, but the vast majority of government offices will be closed

Banks and Credit Unions

Banks and credit unions are closed on Easter. There aren’t many banks open on Sunday, but even the few which are will be closed on Easter. For those who need to use bank services, you may be able to do so through the bank’s ATMs, their websites or their mobile phone apps.

Post Office, UPS and FedEx

Post offices and FedEx are closed, UPS is open on Easter. Both the United States Postal Service (USPS) and Federal Express (FedEx) are closed on Easter. United Parcel Service (UPS) recognizes the holiday, but doesn’t observe it. All their trucks will run as normal on Easter.

(Photo courtesy of Big D2112)

Is Costco Warehouse Open on Easter 2016?

April 2, 2015 By Jeffrey Strain 1 Comment

Costco is one of the few retailers which has more than a couple of days during the year when their warehouses are closed. This is to give their employees the chance to spend time with their families, even though it cuts into their profits. While most people consider this good for the employees, it can be frustrating for shoppers when they go to their local warehouse to find it closed. This is especially true because a lot of people go to Costco for the express purpose of stocking up on holiday supplies. The best thing to do is to check the Costco holiday schedule to know whether or not their warehouse stores will be open or closed. Below you can find Costco’s Easter weekend holiday schedule:

Is Costco open on Good Friday?

Yes, Costco is open on Good Friday. All Costco warehouses will be open on Good Friday (March 25, 2016) for their normal Friday hours. If you have any last-minute Easter shopping to do, or need to stock up on food for an Easter gathering, you can do so on Friday.

Is Costco open on Easter Saturday?

Yes, Costco is open on Easter Saturday. Costco warehouses keep their doors open the day before Easter (Saturday, March 26) for those who like to leave their shopping for the holiday until the last minute. The stores will be open for their normal Saturday hours.

Is Costco open on Easter Sunday?

No, Costco is not open on Easter Sunday. Costco is one of the major retailers which is closed March 27. Easter is one of seven days during the year the warehouse keeps its doors closed. If you need to do any shopping for the holiday, you need to do it before Sunday.

Is Costco open on Easter Monday?

Yes, Costco is open on Easter Monday. The warehouse will open its doors on March 28, and it’ll be open for its typical Monday hours. If there are any Easter items you saw at the warehouse that you could use for next year, you’ll need to get to the store early on Monday. Costco does discount Easter items the day after the holiday, but they tend to sell quickly.

Are Costco gas stations open on Easter?

No, Costco gas stations aren’t open on Easter Sunday. Costco gas stations follow the same holiday schedule as the warehouse where they’re located (although they often have extended hours compared to the store). This means the Costco gas stations will be closed on March 27 (Easter Sunday), but open on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday.

(Photo courtesy of Mike Mozart)

Are Banks Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2015?

January 15, 2015 By Jeffrey Strain 5 Comments

Are banks open or closed on Martin Luther King Jr Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 19, 2015) is just around the corner, and it can get confusing whether or not banks and credit unions are open or closed on this day. That’s because even though Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday, the day off work only applies to only federal employees. Private businesses, such as credit unions and banks, decide for themselves whether or not to stay open or close on federal holidays.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on a Monday each year which makes for a bit more confusion. Mondays are a day banks and credit unions are typically open for business, unlike Sunday when most banks are closed. In most cases, the answer to the question, “Are banks open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?” is “No, they are closed.” Most banks have a holiday schedule which basically mirrors fedederal holidays, but there are some exceptions.

Are banks open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

No, most banks are closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. While Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday and most banks close their doors for the day, not all do. TD Bank is one exception, and its branches stay open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Some banks located in other retail outlets, such as Walmart and grocery stores, may also remain open for the day.

Are credit unions open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

No, most credit unions are closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Much the same way as most banks will be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the same is true with most credit unions. Credit unions which might possibly be open would be located in a retail outlet like a grocery store or Walmart.

For those who find themselves in a position of needing to do a bank transaction on January 19, in many cases it may still be possible. It’s still possible to do many basic banking transactions, even when local branches are closed, through the bank’s mobile app, their website, or at their automatic teller machines (ATMs). These options are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, possibly making a visit to the bank unnecessary.

When you do use alternatives to going to a bank branch, remember the transactions may not go through as quickly as if you talked with a teller. The transactions may not begin to process until the next business day when the bank opens. This could prove to be important if you need money right away, but must wait for a check to clear.

Are Banks and Credit Unions Open Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend?

Most banks and credit unions are open Saturday, but will be closed Sunday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend. If you bank branch is usually open on Saturdays, then it should be open for its regular Saturday hours on January 17. Most banks are closed on Sunday, but there are a few which remain open. Those which are the exception will be open, but most will be closed on Sunday, January 18.

(Photo courtesy of In Sappho We Trust)

What Stores Are Open and Closed on New Year’s Day 2016?

December 30, 2014 By Jeffrey Strain 1 Comment

List of stores open and closed on New Year's Day

When the New Year rolls around, it can get confusing as to which stores are open or closed for the day. New Year’s Day is a federal holiday, but that doesn’t mean retail stores follow the lead of the federal government and close for the day. In fact, many stores take advantage of the holiday to have sales to drive those people with the day off into their retail establishment. Below you’ll find a list of stores, and whether they are open or closed on January 1, 2016.

Is Walmart open on New Year’s Day?

Yes, Walmart is open New Year’s Day. Walmart is open every day of the year except for one, and that day is Christmas. Walmart stores will be open.

Is Costco open on New Year’s Day?

No, Costco is closed New Year’s Day. Costco is one retailer that often closes it doors on holidays when most other retailers remain open to give their employees the day off. New Year’s Day is one of these days. If you are planning a New Year’s Day party, or need to stock up on food for watching football for the day, you will need to make sure to get it all before January 1. It’s also important to note Costco stores will be closing early on New Year’s Eve at 6:00 pm, rather than the usual 8:30 pm on weekdays.

Is Target open on New Year’s Day?

Yes, Target is open New Year’s Day. For those who need to take a trip down to their local Target store, you’ll be happy to know it will be open on New Year’s Day, allowing you to buy anything you might need to get on that day. Target is open most days of the year except for Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

Is BJ’s open on New Year’s Day?

Yes, BJ’s is open New Year’s Day. BJ’s wholesale club will be open for New Year’s Day, but it will be open limited hours for the day. The wholesale club will be open from 11 am to 7 pm on New Year’s Day. It also closed earlier than usual on New Year’s Eve at 6 pm.

Is Sams Club open on New Year’s Day?

No, Sams Club is closed New Year’s Day. Sams Club is another retailer which remains closed on New Years Day. so you need to get your shopping done on the 31st if you want to shop there. Sams Club closes at 6:00 pm on New Year’s Eve.

Most other large retailers remain open for the New Year’s Day holiday, many of them promoting sales. Below is a list of some of the other retail outlets you can expect to find open on January 1. If you do decide to go to one of them, be sure to call to confirm their store hours for the day. Many will be running on holiday hours instead of their typical midweek hours.

JC Penny is open on New Year’s Day
Macy’s is open on New Year’s Day
Sears is open on New Year’s Day
Kmart is open on New Year’s Day
CVS is open on New Year’s Day
Walgreens is open on New Year’s Day
Rite Aid is open on New Year’s Day
Best Buy is open on New Year’s Day
Lowe’s is open on New Year’s Day
Home Depot is open on New Year’s Day

While most major retailers will be open on January 1, the same can’t be said of smaller boutique shops. Many of these smaller stores will be closed on January 1. If you need to go to any of these shops, you will want to call to confirm whether or not they will be open.

(Photo courtesy of DonkeyHotey)

What’s Open and Closed on Thanksgiving Day 2014

November 26, 2014 By Jeffrey Strain 4 Comments

Thanksgiving Day used to be a day where consumers could pretty much assume everything would be closed for the day, but that’s no longer the case. While the vast majority of institutions will shut their doors to let families celebrate the holiday day together, there are more and more retail outlets opening their doors, and the idea of Thanksgiving being a holiday for everyone is beginning to show cracks. For those who are planning to be out and about on Thursday, November 27, 2014, below you’ll find what you can expect to be open and closed for Thanksgiving.

Retail Stores

Large retail stores may open or may be closed. There are a lot of retail stores open on Thanksgiving Day, although this will be for limited hours for most. On the other side, there are a group of retailers who continue to refuse to open for Thanksgiving. For those stores that do open, here is a list of their opening times.

For those who decide to take advantage of the deals available at stores which open on the holiday, don’t forget the most important rule to save money during sales — the price you pay for something on sale fails to be a good deal no matter how low the price if it’s something you would not normally purchase. When you purchase something because it has a good price and not because you need it, you are basically impulse buying on price, and that’s never a good thing.

Three Major Drug Store Chains

Drug stores are open. All three big drugstore chains (CVS, Rite-Aid and Walgreens) will open on Thanksgiving, but may have limited hours Local drugstores, independent drugstores and smaller chains will likely be closed. Contact them to confirm to be sure.

Gas Stations

Most gas stations should be open. While not all gas stations will be open, there should be enough in your area to fill up with gas if need be. Those along the highway should be open for travelers as well. The service departments of stations will be closed.

Major Chain Grocery Stores

Most major chain grocery store chains are open. Most major grocery chain grocery stores will be open for business on Thanksgiving Day (there are some exceptions like Trader Joe’s), but most will have limited hours. Smaller grocery stores and ethnic food grocery stores will likely be closed for the day. It’s best to contact to confirm opening hours before making a trip to one.

Chain and Independent Restaurants

Some restaurants will be open while others will be closed. Many national chain restaurants will be open while independently owned restaurants may have a special Thanksgiving Meal special. If you’re planning to go out to eat, it’s best to call to confirm whether or not they will be open and the hours.

US Stock Markets

The stock markets are closed. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ stock market will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Libraries

Public libraries are closed. Public libraries will shut their doors on Thanksgiving (and many of theme will be closed the day after Thanksgiving as well).

Schools

Schools are closed. Public and private schools will be closed for the day. Most schools will have the day after Thanksgiving off as well.

Garbage Services

Most garbage service will be rescheduled. Most people who usually have their garbage service pick-up on Thursday will have it rescheduled for another day. be sure to call your local garbage service to get the holiday schedule.

Federal Government Offices

Most government offices are closed. Thanksgiving Day is an official federal holiday, so all non-essential federal government offices will closed. There are some government services like air traffic control and law enforcement which are essential, and they will remain open.

State and Local Government Offices

State and Local government offices are closed. Most state and local government offices will be closed for Thanksgiving, but essential services such as police departments and fire departments will remain open.

Credit Unions and Banks

Banks are closed. Both credit unions and banks will be closed for Thanksgiving Day. Some banking services that don’t require a teller can be done at AMTs, through the bank’s app or on the bank’s website.

Post Offices

Post offices are closed. The US Postal Service (USPS) and all local post offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. There will be no home of business mail delivery.

(Photo courtesy of Ben+Sam)