Banks Closed on Presidents Day 2026? Deposit & Payment Rules

Most U.S. banks observe Presidents Day as a federal holiday, temporarily pausing branch operations and standard ACH processing.

You scheduled a payment. Your paycheck was supposed to arrive. Monday is Presidents’ Day.

And that detail matters more than most taxpayers realize.

Millions of Americans are currently waiting for money to move, but they are met with a quiet pause. Banks, markets, and the federal government all observe Washington’s Birthday, leading to a significant shift in financial timelines.

So, what actually happens to your money on February 16, 2026?

While digital banking remains accessible, the underlying systems that move cash across the country have come to a temporary halt. Most banks are officially closed, and electronic systems like the ACH network are behaving differently than they do on a standard business day.

Are Banks Open on Presidents’ Day?

Presidents’ Day is a recognized federal holiday. Consequently, most major U.S. banks and credit unions will close their physical branches on Monday, February 16.

While you can still use an ATM to withdraw cash or log into your banking app to check a balance, in-person services will not be available. It is also important to note that customer service hours for phone support may be limited or entirely suspended.

According to the official Federal Reserve 2026 holiday schedule, all twelve Federal Reserve Banks are closed for the day. This closure is the primary reason why your money doesn’t move as fast as usual during a holiday weekend.

What Happens to Direct Deposits?

Direct deposits rely heavily on the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Because the Federal Reserve is closed, the ACH processing network also pauses its settlement operations.

If your employer typically sends your paycheck on a Monday, or if your IRS Refund Pending status was set for a Monday release, you will likely see a delay. In most cases, funds that were scheduled for February 16 will not fully clear until Tuesday, February 17.

Some financial institutions offer early deposit features, but even these services are limited by the federal clearing window.

As we noted in our analysis of the 72-hour refund hold, individual banks may also apply internal review procedures before making funds fully available in your account.

Do Automatic Bill Payments Go Through?

If you have a mortgage draft or a credit card autopay scheduled for Monday, you may be wondering if you’ll face late fees.

In almost every scenario, payments scheduled for a federal holiday will process on the next business day. Most lenders do not trigger late penalties if the due date falls on a bank holiday like Presidents’ Day. However, it is always a best practice to confirm your specific lender’s policy.

If your bill payment was sent via a physical check in the mail, remember that the U.S. Postal Service will not deliver regular mail on February 16, adding another layer of delay to your payment timeline.

What About Government Payments?

Government-issued funds, including Social Security benefits and tax refunds, follow strict federal settlement rules.

Payments scheduled for Monday typically shift to Tuesday. However, if you are currently navigating the February 15th PATH Act Freeze, your wait is tied to a specific legal hold rather than just a holiday pause.

For those tracking IRS TREAS 310 Pending codes, the Monday holiday means the banking system will stay in a pending state for an additional 24 hours. No manual overrides can speed up this federal verification window.

What About the Stock Market?

If you are looking to manage your portfolio, be aware that U.S. financial markets are also taking a break.

NYSE and Nasdaq: Both major exchanges are closed on Monday, February 16.
Bond Market: The U.S. bond market is also shuttered.
International Markets: Markets in London and Tokyo remain open, but domestic trading resumes only on Tuesday morning.

This full stop in trading often leads to higher volatility when the opening bell rings on Tuesday morning, as the system catches up on three days of global news.

How to Plan Around Holiday Closures

A 24-hour pause might feel like a minor inconvenience, but it can create a real cash flow squeeze for households with tight budgets.

Check Your Online Account: Verify your spendable balance vs. your account balance to avoid overdrawing.
Avoid Short-Term Loans: Do not take out a high-interest loan to bridge a one-day gap. The money is coming; it is just stuck in the federal queue.
Confirm Due Dates: If you have a critical payment due, try to initiate it on the Friday before a holiday weekend to ensure it settles on time.

Conclusion: What to Expect Tuesday

Banking operations will resume at full speed on Tuesday, February 17. Most pending deposits will settle shortly after the morning clearing house opens.

Holiday pauses are a normal part of the U.S. financial system. By understanding that approved and available are two different stages of a federal process, you can plan your week with confidence.