Why are Banks Closed on Sundays & How to Bank on Weekends

When it comes to managing your finances, time is quite literally money.

So, it can be incredibly frustrating to find your bank closed on a Sunday when you need to make a deposit into your checking account or withdraw money from your savings account. It’s even worse if you need to address urgent issues like unfreezing your bank account, checking the delayed wire transfer, or other time-sensitive transactions. 

If you’ve ever wondered why banks are closed on Sunday, what banks are open on Sundays, or if you’re looking for a way to manage your money on the days that your bank is closed, you’ll find the information you need here.

We'll explore why banks close on Sundays, list some banks that operate on Sundays, and provide alternatives for managing your finances on days when your bank is closed.

Let's start by looking at all the reasons banks are closed on Sunday.

The first reason banks are closed on Sundays is to provide their staff—such as managers, tellers, financial advisors, and security personnel—with the necessary time off.

It is practical to designate one day per week for the bank to cease operations, allowing employees a day of rest to recharge and return refreshed for the next workweek, ultimately benefiting both the employees and the bank's overall performance.

In some cultures, particularly those with a dominant Christian tradition, Sundays hold significance as a day of worship and rest. This custom has historically influenced business practices, with many businesses choosing to close on Sundays. Banks, as a part of the larger commercial landscape, have also traditionally followed this custom. 

While the observance of religious customs is a factor, it is not the primary reason banks close on Sundays, as we’ll discuss in the next section.

As businesses, banks must consider the logistics of their operations, including the costs of opening for a day, such as employee pay and building utilities. They need to calculate the return on investment for each business day and decide whether it's worth staying open.  

The five-day workweek from Monday to Friday sees the most business activity. Banks may also observe that people are less likely to use banking services, whether for business or personal purposes, during the weekend. 

Given these factors, opening a bank on Sunday is often not financially justifiable, as the minimal business conducted may not outweigh the operating costs.

Financial institutions, including banks, rely on a network of interconnected systems to operate efficiently. These networks include the stock market, payment processing systems like SWIFT payments and ACH payments, and other essential infrastructure, which typically operate Monday through Friday and close on weekends. 

Therefore, banks align their business hours with the broader financial system, ensuring smooth operations.

Although it is uncommon, here are some examples of US banks that do have branches operating on Sundays. Please note that this typically applies only to select branches, which may have limited operating hours and financial product offerings.

It is advisable to check the bank’s website to verify if a branch near you is open.

• TD Bank
• Chase Bank
• Apple Bank
• Citi
• East West Bank
• American Savings Bank (Some branches in Hawaii) 
• Valley National Bank (Some branches in Brooklyn, New York, and New Jersey) 
• Fifth Third Bank (Only Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Airport branch) 

Depending on the transactions you wish to make or what you need to do, there are likely solutions available even when your traditional bank branch is closed on Sunday.

Let’s look into it.

These days, banks are heavily investing in their online platforms as customers favor digital transactions. As a result, fewer branches are needed, prompting banks to steadily reduce their physical presence.

With all of the online banking options available today, most of your daily banking functions can be carried out whether or not your bank is open.

Many banks offer mobile apps that let you handle various transactions from home. Features often include:

• Account Management: Check your account balance, review transaction history, and transfer funds between accounts on the website or mobile app. 
• Mobile Check Deposit: Some modern banking companies have apps that allow you to deposit checks instantly without needing to go to the branch. All you need to do is sign the check, use the app’s camera feature, and take a clear photo of the front and back of the check.
• Bill Pay: Some banks offer to schedule and pay bills electronically

You will also likely find other services online as well.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available, offering 24/7 access to your cash. Here’s what ATMs offer:

• Cash withdrawals: The primary function is to withdraw cash from your account using your debit or ATM card. 
• Deposits (at some ATMs): Add cash to your account.
• Bill Payments (at some ATMs): Pay certain bills directly through the ATM.

Here’s where to find an ATM:

• ATM Locator: Your bank’s website or mobile app should have an ATM locator that shows the locations of the nearest in-network ATMs.
• Your Bank Local Branches: Most bank branch locations have ATMs on-site.
• Retail Locations: Many grocery stores, supermarkets, and gas stations have ATMs.

If you need to speak with a bank representative about questions you may have about your bank account status, you can most likely call the company phone number and speak with a customer service officer.

Call centers and hotlines often operate beyond regular bank branch hours, providing support during the evenings and weekends. Some banks or financial institutions offer 24/7 assistance through hotlines, live chat, or chatbots for basic or urgent inquiries. It's best to check your bank's website for the possibilities of these extended hours.

For a completely digital banking experience, consider neobanks or virtual banks. 

These online-only institutions are not banks, but they offer many of the same services as traditional banks, often with enhanced mobile app functionality and longer hours, sometimes 24/7. 

You might consider opening an additional account with them as a backup. Especially if you're running a business, it's always a good idea to have multiple accounts for your business banking. 

If you're looking for a smooth 100% online money transfer experience for your business in Hong Kong, Singapore, or the BVI, consider Statrys.

Statrys is not a bank but a payment service provider offering a virtual business account. With Statrys, you can efficiently handle various payments, including cross-border transactions, without visiting physical branches. Additionally, you can count on personalized support from a dedicated account manager to help with any issues or queries related to your account.

Here’s a summary of Statrys’ business account services: