The stock market is taking a break for Good Friday. Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be closed on Friday, April 18, 2025, to observe the Christian holiday. Bond markets are also closed; they even shut down early on Thursday, April 17, 2025. It's one of the few times markets close on a day that's not an official U.S. federal holiday. But don't worry—the U.S. Postal Service is still running, so your mail will arrive as usual. Most banks will also stay open since they follow the federal holiday schedule.
So, why are markets closed? According to Nasdaq, it's more about long-standing tradition than religious rules. This practice has been around since the late 1800s. Some other closures are happening too. Many schools are off for spring break. FedEx is running but with slight changes, while UPS is sticking to its normal schedule. In many other countries, Easter Monday is a public holiday, so their markets will stay closed until Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Good Friday 2025: Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians across the world observe Good Friday, commemorating Jesus's rising from the dead three days after his crucifixion. It marks the culmination of the Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. However, unlike other days, Easter’s date changes every year because it follows a lunar calendar. Usually, it is connected to spring and observed on a Sunday.
Still confused? Here's a simple guide to Easter 2025: When is Easter Sunday 2025? Easter Sunday will be April 20, 2025. It’s a major Christian holiday celebrating Jesus Christ's resurrection, enjoyed by millions worldwide. When is Good Friday 2025? Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified, is the Friday before Easter. In 2025, it’s April 18. People mark it with church services, fasting, or quiet time.
Why does Easter's date change? Easter is based on the "paschal full moon," not the actual full moon. Here’s how it works: The vernal equinox is set for March 21. The paschal full moon is the 14th day of the lunar month. Easter is the first Sunday after this moon. Since lunar months (29 or 30 days) don’t match the regular calendar, Easter can fall between March 22 and April 25.
Do all Christians celebrate Easter on the same day? Western Christians (like Catholics and Protestants) use the Gregorian calendar. Eastern Orthodox Christians use the Julian calendar, which sometimes leads to different dates. In 2025, both groups will celebrate Easter on April 20, 2025. Easter is a joyful time with church, family meals, egg hunts, and gatherings. Knowing the date helps you plan!
As banking services are essential to daily life, understanding whether banks are open on specific days can save you time and trouble. Today, people are eager to know if banks are open, especially on holidays or during special events. This article covers everything you need to know about whether banks are open today, including factors affecting their schedules, the difference between public holidays, and operational hours.
Understanding Bank Hours and Holidays: Banks usually follow standard working hours, opening from Monday to Friday, with weekend hours varying based on location. However, there are specific holidays, like national and religious holidays, that may affect their operations.
Factors Affecting Bank Hours: Public Holidays: Banks are typically closed on national public holidays. Regional Holidays: Banks might be closed on state-specific holidays depending on your location. Special Events: Banks may close for unexpected events or for scheduled internal operations like system upgrades.
Is Today a National Holiday? National holidays such as Independence Day, Republic Day, and Good Friday may cause nationwide bank closures. However, regional holidays might not affect all banks, meaning some branches could remain open.
How to Check If Banks Are Open Today: Official Bank Websites: Visit your bank’s official website for holiday announcements. Customer Service: Call your bank’s helpline to confirm the operating hours. Banking Apps: Many banking apps have notifications for branch operations during holidays.
How to Access Banking Services on Holidays: While branches may be closed on holidays, you can still access banking services through online banking platforms, ATMs, and mobile banking apps. These services allow you to conduct most transactions without visiting the bank in person.
While traditional bank branches may close during holidays, modern banking systems ensure that essential services are still available to customers. Always check with your bank to stay updated on any changes to their schedules.
On April 18, 2025, all public and private banks across India will remain closed in observance of Good Friday, as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar. The day marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is recognized as a national bank holiday. Along with banks, Indian stock markets will also remain shut. April 2025 has a total of 13 scheduled bank holidays, which include fixed national holidays, regional observances, and the customary second and fourth Saturdays.
These holidays fall under the Negotiable Instruments Act, with specific mentions of Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and account closing operations. For instance, April 1 marked the closure of banks for annual account finalisation. Upcoming closures include regional holidays like Mahavir Jayanti (April 10), Ambedkar Jayanti and regional new year festivities (April 14), and state-specific festivals such as Bohag Bihu and Himachal Day (April 15).
Following Good Friday, banks will also be closed on April 21 (fourth Saturday) and April 29 for Parshuram Jayanti in select regions. While physical bank branches remain closed during these holidays, digital banking services, including ATMs, mobile banking, and internet banking, will continue to operate. However, services involving cheque clearance and in-branch transactions will be unavailable. Customers are advised to check with their respective branches for state-wise holiday details and plan banking activities in advance.
As the Easter holiday approaches, it’s essential to know the operational status of various services. On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, most banks will be closed since it falls on a Sunday. This includes major banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Truist, and Citibank. However, Capital One branches will operate at their normal scheduled hours on both Good Friday and Easter.
In summary, while banks and stock markets will close on Good Friday, many will reopen for regular hours on the following Saturday. As for Easter Sunday, most banks will be closed, so plan accordingly to avoid any inconvenience during this holiday weekend.
