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Branches close — that is what the name means. The question that actually costs people money is which payments still move on the day, and which quietly slip to the next working day.
Branch closures
Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, HSBC, Santander, TSB, Nationwide and the Co-operative Bank all close their branches on every bank holiday that applies where the branch is. That last point matters: a Scottish branch closes on 2 January and works to the Scottish bank holiday calendar, while an English branch is open that day and closes on Easter Monday instead.
Banking hubs and Post Office counter services follow the same pattern — but Post Office branches inside a shop that is trading often do open. See the Post Office on bank holidays.
What still works
- ATMs: normal service, including deposit-taking machines at some branches.
- Online and mobile banking: normal service.
- Card payments, contactless and Apple Pay or Google Pay: normal service.
- Faster Payments: normal service. Transfers between UK current accounts settle within seconds, 24 hours a day, including bank holidays.
- 24-hour fraud, lost card and emergency lines: normal service.
What stops, and by how long
| Payment type | On a bank holiday | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Faster Payments (standard transfer) | Runs normally | Arrives in seconds |
| BACS Direct Credit (wages, benefits) | Does not process | Employers usually pay the previous working day |
| Direct Debits due on the day | Collected on the next working day | Plan the balance accordingly |
| Standing orders due on the day | Sent on the next working day | May arrive later than expected |
| CHAPS (same-day high value) | Not available | Conveyancing and large transfers must be booked around it |
| Cheque clearing | Paused | Adds a working day to the funds becoming available |
| International transfers | Depend on both countries’ calendars | Can slip several days over Easter or Christmas |
Wages, mortgages and bills
If your pay date lands on a bank holiday, most employers bring it forward to the last working day before, because BACS cannot deliver it on the day itself. Mortgage and loan payments taken by direct debit move the other way — to the next working day — which can push a payment into a new month. Lenders do not treat that as a missed payment, but it is worth knowing if you track your account closely.
For how bank holidays interact with your pay and leave, see bank holiday pay and bank holiday entitlement.
If something goes wrong on the day
Fraud, a lost or stolen card and blocked-account problems are handled by 24-hour phone lines and in-app freezing, all of which work on a bank holiday. Anything that needs a person in a branch — certified documents, complex account changes, mortgage applications, large cash withdrawals booked in advance — waits for the next working day. Book branch appointments before a long weekend rather than after it.
Frequently asked questions
Are banks open on bank holidays in the UK?
No. Every UK high street bank closes its branches on bank holidays. ATMs, online banking, mobile apps and card payments continue as normal, and the 24-hour fraud and lost card lines stay open.
Do bank transfers go through on a bank holiday?
Faster Payments do — a standard transfer between UK current accounts arrives within seconds, any day of the year. BACS and CHAPS do not run on bank holidays, so wages, direct credits and same-day high-value transfers are affected.
Are direct debits taken on a bank holiday?
No. A direct debit due on a bank holiday is collected on the next working day instead. Make sure the money is still in the account then, because the collection has not been cancelled, only deferred.
Will I be paid on time if payday falls on a bank holiday?
Usually you will be paid early. BACS cannot deliver on a non-working day, so most employers move the payment to the last working day before the holiday. Check your employer’s stated policy for the Christmas and Easter periods in particular.
Are banks open on 2 January in Scotland?
No. 2 January is a bank holiday in Scotland, so Scottish branches close, while branches in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are open. When 2 January falls at a weekend, the Scottish holiday moves to a substitute weekday.
- UK bank holidays — gov.uk
- Public and bank holidays — mygov.scot
- Bacs payment schedules — Pay.UK
- Faster Payments — Pay.UK
Checked September 2026. Opening hours and local holiday dates change — always confirm with the operator or council before you travel.