Chase Bank has confirmed that all 4,700 of its branches will close for 24 hours on Columbus Day, October 13, 2025. This closure is part of the national observance of the holiday, which will also see many other major banks shut their doors for the day.
According to The U.S. Sun, other major institutions such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank will follow suit. Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October, is a federal holiday in the U.S., but it has sparked ongoing debate due to its historical implications. This temporary shutdown raises concerns about the effects on banking services and access.
Columbus Day: A Federal Holiday or a Day of Controversy?
Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, commemorates Christopher Columbus’s landing in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The holiday is officially recognized as a federal holiday, meaning government offices, schools, and most banks are closed. However, its legacy has sparked growing debate in the U.S., especially among Native American communities and their allies.
While the holiday initially celebrated Columbus’s achievements as an Italian explorer, it is now increasingly seen as a symbol of colonization, exploitation, and the violent history that followed Columbus’s arrival. Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrated in many states, aims to honor the Indigenous peoples who suffered as a result of Columbus’s voyages, highlighting the devastating impact on Native American populations due to diseases, slavery, and forced cultural assimilation.
In recent years, the debate over Columbus Day has escalated, especially after President Joe Biden’s proclamation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021. Yet, Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, much to the dismay of those who advocate for its abolition. The controversy over Columbus’s legacy has even led to the toppling of his statues across the U.S. in an effort to address racial inequalities.
Chase Bank and Other Major Banks Close Their Doors for the Day
For customers who rely on in-person banking services, Chase Bank’s decision to shut down its 4,700 branches for 24 hours on October 13, 2025, may come as a minor inconvenience. This closure is part of a broader trend, as many other major banks will also be closed in observance of the holiday, including Bank of America, Capital One, Citibank, PNC, Santander, and Wells Fargo.
While most banks in the U.S. will be closed for the entire day, there are some alternatives for customers who need access to their accounts. TD Bank is one of the few large institutions that will remain open. Moreover, digital banking services, including apps and websites, will still be available, allowing customers to perform routine transactions like paying bills or transferring funds between accounts. ATMs will also remain operational, making it easy for customers to withdraw cash or make deposits.
It is important to note that Columbus Day falls on a Monday, which follows a Sunday when most banks are already closed. Therefore, customers who need to complete urgent banking tasks may need to plan ahead and complete their transactions on the preceding Friday or Saturday.
Why Columbus Day Remains a Controversial Holiday
The controversy surrounding Columbus Day is not new. As early as the 1990s, Indigenous groups began lobbying for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an alternative holiday to celebrate Native American history and culture, rather than Columbus’s voyage. The arrival of Columbus in 1492 is often viewed as the beginning of a long and painful chapter in history for Indigenous peoples, who were subjected to violence, slavery, and the introduction of deadly diseases that wiped out entire communities.
Many Americans, particularly those of Native American descent, argue that Columbus should not be celebrated due to his role in the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. As InterExchange explains,
Columbus and his men mistreated the natives, and used slavery and violence to get what they wanted. They also forced natives to convert to Christianity and introduced a number of diseases to the native people living there. These new illnesses would end up wiping out entire communities, so many Americans argue that Columbus should not be celebrated for bringing disease and destruction to the Americas.
Despite these critiques, Columbus Day continues to be a legally recognized holiday, largely due to the influence of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization that lobbied in defense of the explorer’s legacy.
In recent years, several cities and states have moved to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but the change has not been adopted on a federal level. This ongoing debate speaks to the broader reckoning in the U.S. regarding its colonial past and the struggle for racial justice.
If you need to access your accounts during Columbus Day, there are a few things you can do to avoid disruptions. AARP advises that digital banking will remain available throughout the day, regardless of the holiday.
You can make routine transactions via your bank’s or credit union’s website or app. If you have an online account, you can: check account balances; pay bills; move money between accounts; deposit checks.
