Relay follows the US Federal Reserve holiday schedule, which pauses ACH transfers, wires, and check clearing on 11 observed dates each year.
What holidays does Relay observe?
Relay observes the same 11 federal bank holidays as the US Federal Reserve and Thread Bank, Member FDIC. Any ACH, wire, or check transaction submitted on one of these dates begins processing on the next business day.
New Year's Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January)
Presidents' Day (third Monday of February)
Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
Juneteenth (June 19)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (first Monday of September)
Columbus Day (second Monday of October)
Veterans Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
Christmas Day (December 25)
What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
Holidays that fall on a Saturday are observed on the Friday before, and holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed on the following Monday. On the observed weekday, ACH, wires, and check clearing pause the same way they would on the actual holiday date.
How do bank holidays affect ACH transfers, wires, and check deposits?
ACH transfers, domestic wires, and check deposits do not process on federal bank holidays. Payments you submit on a holiday queue in your Relay Account and begin processing on the next business day.
Outgoing ACH and wires: submit before the standard cutoff on the last business day before the holiday to avoid a next-day delay
Incoming ACH and wires: funds credit on the next business day after the holiday
Check deposits: standard clearing timeline resumes from the next business day
How do international wires work around holidays?
International wires are affected by holidays in the sending country, the receiving country, and any intermediary country in the wire path. If the US, the destination country, or an intermediary bank is closed, the wire settles once every bank in the chain has an open business day.
How can I plan payments around bank closures?
Send time-sensitive ACH and wire payments at least one business day before a holiday. Payroll runs, tax payments, and vendor bills tied to a firm deadline should account for the extra processing day so nothing lands late.
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