Christmas Bank Holiday 2024: Are Banks open on Wednesday, December 25?

Christmas Eve is around the corner, and many people are preparing for celebrations. However, this festive period often brings questions about whether banks and other essential services will remain open. For those planning financial transactions, it’s important to know the bank holiday status for Christmas Day 2024.

Christmas Day 2024: A national bank holiday

Christmas Day which is celebrated on December 25 each year is a public holiday across India and many parts of the world. In 2024, Christmas falls on a Wednesday, and banks will remain closed on this day as part of the official public holiday schedule. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lists December 25 as a bank holiday in its annual holiday calendar.

Since this day is recognized nationwide, banking operations, including branch services and counter transactions, will not be available. Customers are advised to plan any in-person banking activities in advance to avoid last-minute inconveniences.

Bank holidays on Christmas Eve

Many states also have holidays on Christmas Eve, December 2024, and on the occasion of Christmas celebrations on December 26 and 27. Here is the list of states with a Bank holiday in December 2024.

Online banking services will remain operational

While physical branches will be closed, customers can still access essential banking services through online platforms and mobile apps. Services such as money transfers, balance inquiries, and utility payments will continue to function. However, there might be delays in cheque clearances and other manual processes.

ATM services and cash availability

ATMs will be operational on December 25, ensuring access to cash during the holiday. Even so, customers are advised to withdraw cash in advance to avoid any inconvenience caused by increased demand or technical issues.

Plan your transactions before holiday

To ensure an easy-going holiday season, it is recommended to complete all critical banking tasks by Tuesday, December 24, 2024. If you need to deposit cash, submit cheques, or perform other branch tasks, doing so before the holiday will save time and avoid unnecessary stress.