You’re standing in the kitchen, coffee in hand, looking at a stack of checks that need depositing. Or maybe you finally have a free Monday and figured you’d head down to the local branch to talk to a banker about that mortgage refinance you’ve been putting off. Then it hits you. It’s the second Monday in October. You realize it’s a federal holiday. Now you're wondering, is Chase open on Columbus Day, or are you about to waste a trip across town?
Honestly, the answer is a bit of a bummer if you were hoping for a face-to-face chat. No. Chase Bank follows the Federal Reserve Board’s holiday schedule. Since Columbus Day (also widely observed as Indigenous Peoples' Day) is a designated federal holiday, Chase closes its physical doors. Every single one of them.
Why the doors stay locked
It’s pretty simple. Most major financial institutions in the United States, including giants like JPMorgan Chase, align their schedules with the Federal Reserve. When the Fed stops processing transactions, the banks stop operating their retail storefronts. It’s a bank holiday in the truest sense.
But don't panic.
Just because the lobby is dark and the bankers are home doesn't mean your money is trapped in some sort of holiday limbo. Banking in 2026 is a far cry from the days when a closed door meant a total standstill. You've got options. Lots of them.
Handling Your Money When the Branch is Closed
While you can’t walk in and shake hands with a teller, the digital side of Chase never actually sleeps. It’s always humming.
The ATM is your best friend
Chase maintains a massive network of ATMs, over 15,000 of them across the country. These machines are the workhorses of the holiday. You can deposit cash, feed in those checks from your kitchen counter, or withdraw walking-around money without needing a human.
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Most Chase ATMs are accessible 24/7, even when the branch they are attached to is locked tight. Just bring your debit card.
Mobile Banking and the Chase App
If you haven't downloaded the Chase Mobile app yet, today is the day. It’s basically a bank in your pocket. You can use the "QuickDeposit" feature to snap a photo of a check and send it into your account immediately.
Wait. There’s a catch.
Even though you can deposit the check via the app on Columbus Day, the money won’t actually "clear" in the traditional sense until the next business day. Since the Federal Reserve isn't processing, that check is going to sit in a digital queue. Usually, Chase will show the deposit as "pending," but don’t count on that cash being available to pay a bill until Tuesday.
Online transfers and Zelle
Need to send money to a friend? Zelle works regardless of whether it's a holiday or not. If you’re moving money between your own Chase accounts—say, from savings to checking—that happens instantly. The digital ledger updates in real-time.
What about the "Monday Holiday" confusion?
Columbus Day is one of those floating holidays. It’s always on a Monday. This creates a three-day weekend for many, which is exactly why people forget about the bank closure. They're in "weekend mode" and assume Monday is a normal business day.
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It's worth noting that while is Chase open on Columbus Day is a hard "no" for the branches, some other businesses stay wide open. Most grocery stores, big-box retailers like Target or Walmart, and even the stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) usually stay open on this specific holiday. This creates a weird disconnect where you can buy a flat-screen TV but you can’t get a cashier's check.
The "Indigenous Peoples' Day" distinction
In many states and cities, the holiday is now officially recognized as Indigenous Peoples' Day. Regardless of the name used locally—whether you call it Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, or just "that Monday in October"—the banking result is identical. Chase follows the federal calendar, which still lists the second Monday of October as a holiday.
International wires and ACH payments
This is where things get a bit tricky for business owners. If you have an automated payroll run or a scheduled ACH payment set for that Monday, it’s not going to happen. The systems that move money between different banks are paused.
If you're a freelancer waiting on a direct deposit, and your client sent it on Friday afternoon, there’s a high probability you won’t see that money until Tuesday morning. Federal holidays effectively "pause" the clock on the standard two-to-three business day processing window.
Real-world workarounds for the "Closed" sign
Let’s say you absolutely need a specific service that usually requires a teller. Maybe you need a Notary Public or you need to access your safe deposit box.
You’re out of luck on Monday. There is no "workaround" for a locked vault.
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However, if your need is purely transactional, here’s how to handle it:
- Cash Needs: Use the ATM. If you need more than your daily limit, you might be stuck, but most Chase accounts have a decent daily ceiling (often $500 to $1,000 or more depending on your account tier).
- Lost Card: If you lost your debit card over the weekend, don't wait for Tuesday. Call the Chase customer service line or use the app to "lock" your card immediately. You can even request a replacement through the automated system.
- Overdrafts: If you realize you’re about to overdraw your account on Monday, transfer money from your savings immediately via the app. Because it's internal to Chase, it should reflect and save you from those pesky fees.
Don't forget the call centers
While the branch staff is off, Chase often maintains skeleton crews or outsourced support for their phone lines. You can usually reach a human for credit card issues or fraud alerts by calling the number on the back of your card. They won't be able to help you with "in-branch" tasks, but they can handle account security.
Planning for the "Tuesday Rush"
Tuesday morning after Columbus Day is notoriously busy at bank branches. Everyone who couldn't get in on Monday shows up at 9:00 AM on Tuesday.
If you have a complex task—like opening a new business account or settling an estate—try to book an appointment online for later in the week. Walking in cold on the Tuesday after a long weekend is a recipe for a long wait in a velvet-roped line.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
Since we've established that the answer to is Chase open on Columbus Day is a definitive no, you need to pivot.
- Check your balances now. If you have bills due on Monday or Tuesday, make sure the funds are in the right account before the weekend hits.
- Use the app for deposits. Don't wait until Tuesday to deposit that check. Do it via the app on Monday. Even though it won't process until Tuesday, you'll be at the front of the digital line.
- Confirm ATM locations. Use the "Find Us" tool on the Chase website to locate an ATM that accepts deposits if you have a stack of cash that feels unsafe sitting in your dresser.
- Adjust your expectations. Realize that any "business day" countdown for shipping, wire transfers, or loan approvals just got extended by 24 hours.
If you’re reading this on the Sunday before the holiday, you still have time to hit the branch if they have Saturday hours (many do until midday). Otherwise, settle in, enjoy the day off if you have it, and let the digital tools do the heavy lifting. Banking isn't just a building anymore; it’s a set of servers that don’t care about holidays.