You're standing in the kitchen, keys in hand, wondering if you can actually get that cashier's check or talk to a loan officer right now. Maybe you've got a pile of cash from a weekend side hustle that needs a home. Well, since today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, the short answer for most people in Massachusetts is a resounding "no."
But it's actually a bit more complicated than just a Sunday closure.
We are currently sitting in the middle of a three-day holiday weekend. Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is a massive federal and state holiday, and it means the banking world in the Bay State is basically on a deep freeze until Tuesday morning.
Are MA banks open today or is everything locked up?
Honestly, if you’re looking for a standard branch of Bank of America, Citizens, or Santander, you're out of luck. In Massachusetts, Sundays are traditionally quiet for the banking sector anyway. But because tomorrow is a legal holiday, the "closed" signs are staying up for an extra 24 hours.
There are some weird exceptions, though. You might find a stray TD Bank branch inside a grocery store or a high-traffic area that keeps "Store" hours rather than "Bank" hours. Historically, TD Bank has been the outlier, often staying open on Sundays when everyone else is home. However, even the most "open" banks usually shut down for the actual MLK holiday tomorrow.
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If you use a local credit union like Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) or Metro Credit Union, they are strictly following the Federal Reserve calendar. That means they are closed today and will remain closed tomorrow.
Why the MLK holiday changes things for you
It’s not just about the physical doors being locked. Since the Federal Reserve is closed tomorrow, any transaction you initiate today—like a mobile check deposit or an ACH transfer—won't even start "counting" until Tuesday, January 20.
Basically, the money is just sitting in digital limbo.
If you were hoping to have a check clear by Monday to pay rent, that's not happening. The system sees this as one long, continuous weekend.
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Navigating the Massachusetts bank holiday schedule
Massachusetts is a bit unique because we have a few "state-only" holidays, but for the most part, our banks follow the lead of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Since we're in early 2026, it's a good idea to keep the rest of the year's "danger zones" on your radar so you don't get caught without cash.
- Presidents' Day: Monday, February 16, 2026.
- Patriots' Day: Monday, April 20, 2026. This one is a big deal locally. While it’s a state holiday in MA, not every national bank closes, but many local ones do. It's the day of the Boston Marathon, so even if the bank is open, getting to it through the traffic is another story.
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026.
- Juneteenth: Friday, June 19, 2026.
I’ve found that many people forget about Juneteenth or Patriots' Day and end up frustrated when their direct deposit hits a day late. Planning for these gaps is just part of living in New England.
What can you actually do today?
Just because the tellers are home doesn't mean you're totally cut off. Most of the heavy lifting can still happen via your phone or the nearest concrete kiosk.
- ATM Power: You can still withdraw cash, and at many newer machines from Chase or Bank of America, you can deposit cash and have it reflected in your "available balance" immediately, even on a Sunday.
- Mobile Apps: Mobile check deposit is your best friend right now. Just remember the "business day" rule. Anything you scan today is treated as if you did it on Tuesday morning.
- Zelle and Venmo: These services generally work 24/7 regardless of bank holidays, though some larger transfers out of the apps into your bank account will be delayed by the holiday.
Specific bank quirks in Massachusetts
If you're a customer of Eastern Bank or Rockland Trust, you know they pride themselves on being "local." Sometimes that means more personalized service, but it also means they are very strict about state and federal holiday observances. They will definitely be closed for the duration of this MLK weekend.
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On the flip side, if you're with an online-only bank like Ally or SoFi, the concept of "open" or "closed" is a bit of a myth. Their systems are always running, but they still rely on the Federal Reserve for the actual movement of money between institutions. So, even they can't make your money move faster over a holiday break.
The payroll headache
If you're a small business owner in Worcester or Springfield and you usually run payroll on Mondays, hopefully you did it last Thursday or Friday. Because tomorrow is a banking holiday, if you submit payroll now, your employees might not see their money until Wednesday or Thursday.
This is the "hidden" part of the "are MA banks open today" question that most people don't think about until someone's rent is due and their account is empty.
Actionable steps for your Sunday
If you absolutely need banking services right now, here is your game plan:
- Check the TD Bank locator: If there's any hope for a physical branch being open in Massachusetts today, it's them. Use their app to see if any "Store" locations in your area have Sunday hours.
- Use the "Instant Transfer" option: If you're moving money from an app like Square or PayPal to your debit card, pay the 1.75% fee for the "Instant" version. It bypasses the standard ACH holiday delay.
- Wait for Tuesday: For anything involving a mortgage, a new account opening, or a complex wire transfer, just set a reminder for 9:00 AM on Tuesday. Monday is a wash.
- Watch the ATM limits: If you're planning a big cash purchase today, remember that most banks limit you to $500–$1,000 per day at the ATM. Since the bank is closed tomorrow too, you won't be able to go inside to get more until Tuesday.
The banks in Massachusetts are definitely taking a breather today. While the digital world stays awake, the people behind the counters are rightfully honoring the MLK holiday. Plan your spending accordingly and enjoy the long weekend.