Americans who bank with major institutions like Chase and Wells Fargo will experience a full-day closure on June 19 as part of the nationwide observance of Juneteenth. This includes the temporary shutdown of more than 4,700 Chase branches and 5,600 Wells Fargo locations. Other big banks such as Citibank, Capital One, Bank of America, PNC, and Truist will also close their doors for 24 hours.
Why Do Banks Close on Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, marks the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and the official end of slavery in the US. The Federal Reserve Bank, which oversees the country’s banking system, mandates closures of banks and credit unions on all federal holidays, including Juneteenth. Most local branches will follow this rule.
Although physical branches will close, online banking and ATM services will remain available, so customers can still access many banking functions digitally. However, Americans are encouraged to plan ahead for the holiday to avoid inconvenience.
Other Services Also Shutting Down
Juneteenth closures go beyond banks. The United States Postal Service (USPS) will close all post offices nationwide and pause mail delivery on June 19. However, private carriers like FedEx and UPS will continue normal operations.
Government offices—including city and state courts, Social Security offices, local Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs), and public schools—will also close for the day. The stock market and most public libraries will suspend operations as well.
Trash collection, curbside compost, and recycling services may be delayed since sanitation workers will be off.
Some restaurants and retail stores will close temporarily to observe the holiday, though many will remain open.
Permanent Retail and Restaurant Closures Continue
While many closures are temporary for Juneteenth, the retail and restaurant industries are also seeing permanent shutdowns this year. Experts report that by May 25, about 2,500 retail stores will have closed for good in 2025.
In the restaurant sector, popular chains like Denny’s, Red Robin, and TGI Fridays are among those shutting down locations, signaling a challenging year for the industry.
Juneteenth marks an important day of remembrance and freedom but will also bring widespread temporary closures across banking, government, postal, and many other services nationwide. Customers should prepare for the day ahead by handling essential tasks early. Meanwhile, the retail and restaurant sectors continue to face significant challenges, with numerous permanent closures expected throughout the year.