In the United States, St. Patrick's Day, observed on March 17, is not a federal or bank holiday. Financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and stock markets, operate on their normal business schedules. The term "bank holiday" in the U.S. is functionally synonymous with a federal holiday, which is a date specifically designated by law for the closure of non-essential federal government offices and federally chartered institutions.
The U.S. government recognizes a specific list of public holidays established by Congress under Title 5 of the United States Code. These include days such as New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Christmas Day, and Independence Day. St. Patrick's Day is not included on this list. While it is a significant cultural and religious observance with widespread public celebrations, it lacks the official legal status required to mandate the closure of banks or federal services. Some local municipalities, such as Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and Savannah, Georgia, recognize it as an official holiday for local government employees, but this designation does not extend to federal or banking operations.
Consequently, all standard banking and financial transactions can be conducted on St. Patrick's Day, provided it does not fall on a weekend. Federal services, including the U.S. Postal Service, also maintain normal operations. The day's status as a cultural event rather than a legal public holiday means that while social and commercial activities related to the celebration are common, there is no disruption to the national financial and governmental infrastructure.
