Are banks open today?

Imagine driving to your bank for an urgent task only to find the branch closed. Ugh, that can be disappointing.

You may be wondering "what days are banks closed?" or "are the banks closed today?".

While online banking makes it possible to do banking tasks anytime, anywhere, there are certain banking transactions and tasks like making a wire transfer or closing your account, for which you may need to visit a branch.

In this post, we take a look at Canadian banking working hours and see which banks are open on civic holidays to help you plan your next trip to the bank.

Typical Canadian banks opening hours

Generally speaking, bank branches in Canada are open six days of the week, from Monday to Saturday. There are some exceptions, such as many high-traffic TD bank and CIBC branches that also open on Sundays and offer drive-thrus.

ATMs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with certain sites offering a drive-thru service. Customers can still use tellers if they prefer, but they can also access their funds from any ATM in the country or from the banking website.

Typical banking hours in Canada are similar to the standard business hours of a normal work day. Most bank branches open at either 9:00AM or 10:00 AM. Their closing time is either 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM. That said, the actual opening hours may vary by bank and location. Nevertheless, most banks in Canada close between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM on any business day.

The standard working hours of some of the main Canadian Banks are:  

• Scotiabank working hours from Monday to Thursday are 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. On Friday, the banks open at its usual time, 9:30 AM, but closes at 6:00 PM. On Saturday, Scotiabank branches open at 10:00 AM and closes in the afternoon at 2:00 PM.  

• TD bank is one of the few banks in Canada that are open seven days a week. Its hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM from Monday through Friday. OnSaturday, it is open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The working hours on Sunday are from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) is another Canadian bank with branches offering Sunday banking hours. The normal CIBC working hours from Monday to Friday are8:30 AM to 7:30 PM. The working hours on Saturday and Sunday are 9:00 AM – 5:00PM and 12:00 AM to 5:00 PM, respectively.

• Bank of Montreal is open Mondays to Saturday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the evening.  

• National Bank of Canada operates Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Saturday, it operates under reduced hours, closing at 3:00 PM.

• Tangerine Bank working hours are from Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Saturday, it is open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Some branches of Tangerine Bank also offer Sunday banking hours from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Before you leave home, double-check whether or not your local branch is open. You can do so by visiting your bank’s website to find the updated hours of operation of your local branch. Another option is to speak to a customer service representative by calling your bank’s customer service line.

Since banking is an essential service, most bank branches remained open even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, it is a good idea to make sure your local bank is open before you head to it to run an errand.

Canadian bank holidays in 2023

Most banks and Canada are closed on all Federal Holidays. Additionally, some banks may also remain closed on provincial holidays.  

Federal Holidays in Canada include the following:

• New Year’s Day – January 1
• St. Patrick's Day – March 17
• Good Friday – April 7
• Victoria Day - May 22
• Canada Day – July 1
• Labour Day – September 4
• Truth and Reconciliation Day - October 2
• Thanksgiving Day - October 9
• Remembrance Day - November 11
• Christmas Day - December 25
• Boxing Day - December 26

Depending on the province where your bank branch is located, it may be closed on provincial holidays such as the following:

• Day after New Year’s (January 2). The day after New Year’s Day is a declared one of the bank holidays in Quebec. The majority of banks in Quebec are closed on this day.

• Family Day (February 20). The third Monday of February is observed as a regional statutory holiday in many provinces. It is generally known as Family Day, although some provinces have different names because they celebrate it for different reasons. It is a provincial holiday. The third Monday of February is on the provincial holiday schedule in British Columbia (BC), Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island. Banks in these provinces are closed on this day.

• Saint Jean Baptiste Day (June 24). Saint Jean Baptiste Day is one of the public bank holidays in Quebec. Banks across Quebec are closed on this day.

• June Day (June 26). June Day, previously celebrated as Discovery Day, is on the provincial bank holiday schedule in Newfoundland and Labrador. Banks in these two provinces are closed on this day.

• Civic Holiday (August 7). Banks in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia,New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are closed for Civic Holiday, celebrated on the first Monday of August.

• Regatta Day (August 2). Regatta Day is on the local holiday schedule in Newfoundland and Labrador. Most banks in this province are closed on this day.Regatta Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday of August, weather permitting.If wind conditions and weather are not favorable, the event is postponed to the next suitable day.  

The lobbies of most banks are usually shut on public holidays, but depending on the location, many banks will remain open on provincial holidays.

Can you do banking when your bank is closed?

Of course, you can, even on a Federal Holiday. If you need to do your banking after hours or on days when your bank is closed, you can always contact the bank's phone number and use an automated system. Most Canadian banks provide an internet banking platform and ATM machines around the country, although tellers are still available for customers who prefer in-person transactions. It's a good idea to make sure your local bank is open before you head to it to run an errand, especially if you need to make large withdrawals.

Online Banking

For online banking, all you need is a laptop, desktop, or mobile device and stable internet connection. You can complete a range of tasks through your online bank platform, from checking your balance, viewing your statements, and paying your bills, to setting up or cancelling deposits and depositing cheques.

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ATM machines

Nearly all Canadian banks allow around-the-clock access to their ATM machines. The services ATMs offer include checking your balance, viewing your statements, and paying your bills, setting up or cancelling deposits and depositing cheques. You can use a bank's ATM network to withdraw or deposit money, print bank account statements, and check your account balance.  

Conclusion

Banks in Canada are open weekdays and generally on Saturdays, although some banks are operational for limited hours on Saturdays.They are generally closed on Sundays and national holidays. Depending on your bank’s location, it may also be shut on provincial holidays. Send us an email or schedule a call to have our advisor support you through your options and help you pick a product that’s right for you.

Are banks open today? The easiest way to find out is to check your bank’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are banks open on Easter Monday in Canada?

No, it is not. Most banks in Canada are open on Easter Monday, as are most credit unions. However, Canada Post and other Federal entities are closed.

Are banks in Canada open on Weekends?

Most banks are open for reduced hours on Saturday and closed on Sunday. However, several branches of some banks, like TD Bank and CIBC operate on Sunday for limited hours. If you need to visit a bank on a weekend, it would be best to first check if it is open. You can find out this information on your bank’s website.

Are banks open on Christmas Eve?

Since the day before Christmas Day is not on a public holiday, most banks and other financial institutions are open like any other working day. However, some financial institutions, such as TD Canada Trust, are shut on Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day.

Are banks open today?

Banks in Canada are usually shut on public holidays. Also, depending on the location, many banks will remain closed on provincial holidays.