Brazilians preparing for the upcoming holiday season should take note of how banks will operate during Christmas and New Year, as the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban) has announced their holiday schedule. The period will see banks closing completely on two key national holidays, December 25 (Christmas) and January 1 (New Year's Day), with additional adjustments on the days leading up to these dates.
On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, there will be no banking operations. Customers will not have access to face-to-face service or associated transaction processing, including the availability of TED (Transferência Eletrônica Disponível). This closure means individuals and businesses will need to plan accordingly if they have operations requiring bank attention on these dates.
Before the holidays, banks will have shortened hours on December 24 (Christmas Eve), operating from 9 AM to 11 AM, Brasília time. Following Christmas and New Year’s, regular banking hours will resume on January 2, when customers can return to conducting their banking needs without restrictions.
December 30 has been designated as the last business day of the year with normal operations for banks—this is the final opportunity for customers to make transactions, finalize payments, or take care of financial obligations before the new year.
It is worth noting the operational policies for handling bills and other financial payments during this time. Bills such as water, electricity, and telephone payments, which fall due on either of the holidays—December 25 and January 1—can be paid on the next business day without incurring additional fees or penalties. Therefore, December 26 and January 2 will be the first available days for payment of those bills.
Conversely, for taxes and other official payments, customers are advised to make their payments beforehand if they are due on days when banks are closed to avoid any late fees or penalties. "Normalmente os tributos já vêm com datas ajustadas ao calendário de feriados nacionais, estaduais e municipais..." explained Walter Tadeu de Faria from Febraban. This highlights the necessity for anyone expecting to meet tax obligations during the holiday to be proactive about their payments.
During the holiday, the only payment system available will be PIX, which operates around the clock, including on holidays. This means customers can still complete their transactions, such as money transfers and payments, even when traditional banking services are unavailable. The convenience of this service is particularly useful during the festive season, allowing customers to remain active financially without dependence on bank hours.
Febraban also emphasizes the usefulness of electronic banking products available to customers during this period. Options such as internet banking, mobile banking, and ATMs will still function and allow customers to perform many tasks, including transferring money, checking balances, and accessing statements. "Esses canais oferecem praticamente toda as transações financeiras do sistema bancário," reiterated Faria, underpinning the reliance on digital transaction methods during these closures.
With these alterations set, it’s imperative for customers to plan accordingly to avoid any financial inconvenience during the holiday. Keeping track of the altered bank hours, utilizing the available electronic banking options, and preparing to meet due dates for payments can minimize any worries over the festive period.
The banking community encourages the use of electronic means to conduct operations efficiently, bridging the gap during times of service closures. Customer awareness and preparedness will be key to making this holiday season financially seamless.
