Why Chase Is Closing 4,700 Branches on the Same Day — And What It Means for You

Brace yourself, Chase is closing down all 4,700 of its branches for 24 hours in a few weeks, and Wells Fargo isn’t helping either.

If you’ve already experienced a bank blackout this year, here comes another one. This time, it’s not random, it’s for Juneteenth, and it’s affecting every major bank across the U.S.

Mark your calendars: June 19 is a federal holiday, and that means total closure across the banking industry. Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Citibank, they’ll all be closing branches in honor of Juneteenth, the day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.

What is Juneteenth? It’s the day back in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were finally told they were free, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth into law as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. Now, the whole country observes it, and that includes financial institutions and government agencies.

So what shuts down?

Literally everything with a federal tag on it. Chase and Wells Fargo will be out of reach, and you can expect no help from government offices, DMV branches, Social Security centers, courts, and more. If you’re thinking of handling any official business, you’ll have to work around it.

The New York Stock Exchange is closing too, along with all New York Public Library branches. And don’t even count on your mail showing up, USPS won’t be delivering in New York that day. You’ll still get FedEx and UPS deliveries, but no regular mail service.

Public schools in New York City will also be closed, so families should prepare for a day off. Trash pickup, compost, and recycling services will be paused, with all collections pushed to the following day.

But it’s not all shut doors and no fun. Several things are staying open, and getting festive. New York will have Juneteenth celebrations like the Juneteenth Restaurant Crawl, where you can support Black-owned restaurants while celebrating the day.

Governor Kathy Hochul has also made a move to help people beat the heat. With a heat wave expected around that week, admission to all New York State Parks will be free on Juneteenth and the following day (June 20).

If you’re in New York or nearby, some popular parks and beaches will be opening early for the summer season, including

• Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Hither Hills, and Sunken Meadow on Long Island
• Lake Welch, Canopus, Rockland Lake, Tallman Mountain, Bear Mountain, and Lake Tiorati
• Beach up in Hudson Valley

City attractions will stay open too, like

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• The Guggenheim
• The American Museum of Natural History
• Bronx Zoo
• Central Park Zoo

Meanwhile, the Staten Island Ferry will be running, but only on its holiday schedule, every 30 minutes from 7am to midnight.

So yeah, your banking plans are going on hold because of Chase closings, but there’s no reason to stay cooped up. Plan your banking before June 19, because once the day hits, you’re going to be out of luck.

Quick Reference Table for Juneteenth 2025 Closures & Events

Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.