You’re standing at the glass door of your local branch, tugging the handle, but it won’t budge. We’ve all been there. It’s a Monday in mid-October, and suddenly you remember—it’s Columbus Day. Or Indigenous Peoples' Day. Whatever you call it, the result for your wallet is the same. Are banks open today on Columbus Day? The short answer is: mostly no.
Because Columbus Day is a federal holiday, the Federal Reserve takes the day off. Since the Fed is the "plumbing" for the entire U.S. financial system, most major banks like Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America follow suit and shutter their physical locations. If you need a teller to hand you a crisp stack of twenties or a manager to sign off on a mortgage paper, you're likely out of luck until Tuesday morning.
The Federal Reserve Factor: Why the Doors Are Locked
It’s not just about giving bank tellers a long weekend. The decision to close rests heavily on the Federal Reserve Bank Schedule. In 2026, Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 12.
When the Fed closes, the ACH (Automated Clearing House) system stops moving. This is the network that handles everything from your Netflix subscription payment to your boss sending your salary. If the Fed isn’t processing, the banks don’t have much to do.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a ghost town in the financial world on this day. While the stock markets (like the NYSE and Nasdaq) usually stay open, the bond market takes the day off. It's a weird split-screen reality where traders are screaming on Wall Street, but your local banker is likely at a backyard barbecue.
Who is definitely closed?
If you bank with these giants, don't bother driving to the branch:
🔗 Read more: Shangri-La Asia Interim Report 2024 PDF: What Most People Get Wrong
- Bank of America
- Chase
- Wells Fargo
- PNC Bank
- Capital One (though their "Cafes" sometimes have different vibes, the banking desks are shut)
- Citibank
- U.S. Bank
The "Sorta Open" Exception: Credit Unions and Grocery Store Branches
Now, here is where it gets a little murky. Not every financial institution is a "national bank."
You’ve got state-chartered banks and local credit unions that occasionally play by their own rules. Some smaller community banks in states that don't officially recognize Columbus Day—like Hawaii or Vermont—might keep their doors open.
And then there are the "in-store" branches. You know the ones. The tiny Wells Fargo or Huntington kiosks tucked inside a Kroger, Publix, or Wegmans. Since the grocery store is open, these kiosks sometimes staff a person or two, but even then, they can't do "heavy lifting" like wire transfers because the main system is still paused.
Pro Tip: If you absolutely must see a human, call the specific branch first. Don't rely on the "Open" sign on Google Maps; it's often wrong on federal holidays.
What Happens to Your Money Today?
You can still spend money, obviously. Your debit card isn't going to get rejected at the coffee shop just because it's a holiday. But the "behind the scenes" stuff is where things get sticky.
💡 You might also like: Private Credit News Today: Why the Golden Age is Getting a Reality Check
1. The Direct Deposit Delay
This is the big one. If your payday happens to fall on Monday, October 12, 2026, you probably won't see that money in your account until Tuesday. Or, if your employer is on top of things, they might have pushed it out the previous Friday. If you’re checking your app at 6:00 AM and the balance is still low, don't panic. It’s just the holiday lag.
2. Mobile Check Deposits
You can still snap a photo of that birthday check from your grandma and upload it via your banking app. It’ll "accept" the image. But the actual processing? That won't start until the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday. Basically, don't expect those funds to be "available" for a few days.
3. ATMs: Your Best Friend Today
ATMs are the unsung heroes of bank holidays. They don’t sleep. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and sometimes even deposit cash. Most bank-owned ATMs will still function perfectly fine, though "out of network" ones might take a bit longer to update your displayed balance.
The Evolution of the Holiday: Columbus vs. Indigenous Peoples' Day
It’s worth noting that the name of the day is changing in many places. President Biden officially recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021, and many states—from Maine to New Mexico—have shifted their focus.
Does the name change affect the bank hours?
📖 Related: Syrian Dinar to Dollar: Why Everyone Gets the Name (and the Rate) Wrong
Nope.
Whether your state calls it Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, or "Monday," the federal government still classifies it as a legal public holiday under 5 U.S.C. 6103. That is the specific law that keeps the Federal Reserve closed, and as long as that stays in place, the banking industry will keep its doors locked.
3 Things You Should Do Right Now
Since you can't go into a branch, here is how you handle your business today:
- Check your "Pending" transactions: If you’re cutting it close on a bill, remember that many banks won't process a payment today. If a bill is due today, it’s technically "due" the next business day, but check your specific terms to avoid a late fee.
- Use the App for Zelle/Venmo: Peer-to-peer transfers usually work fine on holidays, though moving that money from the app to your actual bank account (the "Instant Transfer") might hit a snag or cost an extra fee.
- Plan for Tuesday Morning: If you need a cashier's check for a car purchase or a house closing, you’ll want to be the first person in line on Tuesday morning. Expect the branches to be busier than usual as everyone else who was "locked out" on Monday rushes in.
If you're looking for other services, remember that the U.S. Postal Service is also closed today—so no mail delivery—but private carriers like UPS and FedEx usually run normal routes. Most retail stores and restaurants will stay open with regular hours to catch the crowds of people who have the day off work.
To stay ahead of the curve, log into your banking app and verify your upcoming scheduled transfers. If you have an automated mortgage payment or a credit card bill set for today, double-check that the "settlement date" hasn't been pushed back in a way that might trigger a low-balance alert later in the week.