Brazilian banks are bracing for modifications to their operating hours during the eagerly anticipated Carnival 2025, which runs from March 1 to March 5. This festive period is known for its vibrant celebrations, but it also brings significant changes to how banks operate across the country.
The Federação Brasileira de Bancos (Febraban) has made it clear: banks will be closed on Monday, March 3, and Tuesday, March 4, effectively impacting financial services during this holiday. "No sábado (1º) e domingo (2) de Carnaval, as unidades bancárias também não terão atendimento presencial, como já é o padrão para os fins de semana," Febraban noted, highlighting the standard weekend closure extending through the Carnival period.
Customers will have to take note of the adjusted banking hours as operations resume on Quarta-Feira de Cinzas (Ash Wednesday), March 5. According to Febraban, "O atendimento será retomado na Quarta-feira de Cinzas a partir de 12h," indicating banks will open at noon but will adjust their closing times based on local practices. Notably, some branches typically close before 3 PM; these locations will have their opening hours modified to guarantee at least three hours of service.
During the Carnival holiday, traditional banking services will not be available, including compensations for bank transfers and payments. The use of the instant payment system, Pix operates differently: “O Pix, que funciona 24 horas todos os dias e feriados, poderá ser feito normalmente,” emphasizing Pix as the go-to option for quick transactions throughout the festivities.
For many, it is pivotal to plan around these changes, especially with regard to payment deadlines. Bills and invoices due during the Carnaval closure can be settled without incurring any penalties if payments are made the following workday, which is March 5. Banks have assured, "Boletos de cobrança e contas de consumo (água, energia, telefone, entre outros) com vencimento na segunda (3) ou terça-feira (4) poderão ser pagos, sem acréscimo, no dia útil seguinte,” which alleviates some concerns for customers anticipating due dates.
On the other hand, it is important to note the approach to tax payments. “Normalmente os tributos já vêm com datas ajustadas ao calendário de feriados nacionais, estaduais e municipais,” explained Walter Tadeu de Faria, delineated the necessity for early payment on certain taxes to avoid late fees and penalties. Customers are advised to bring any necessary payments forward before the holiday to avoid unexpected charges.
Febraban recommends leveraging online banking solutions during this time. Both mobile applications and banking websites allow users to conduct transactions and payments without needing to visit physical branches. With continued access to these digital platforms, customers can manage their financial responsibilities seamlessly, even when brick-and-mortar banking is unavailable.
Importantly, having adapted to these regular interruptions during the holiday season, many Brazilians find the digital resources of their banks sufficient to navigate through these periods without face-to-face interactions.
To summarize, the Carnival 2025 celebration will see banks closed during significant periods of the festivities. To stay on top of both financial obligations and avoid any hassles, plan accordingly, leverage digital banking, and keep track of due dates carefully.