Americans will gather to celebrate New Year’s Eve with family and friends. It’s a time for reflection and celebration as people across the country prepare to say goodbye to 2024 and welcome in 2025.
However, as the holiday season unfolds, many wonder about the operational hours of businesses, particularly financial institutions like Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Are they open? Will their doors be shut during this important holiday? Let’s take a closer look at the banking holiday schedule for today, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
What You Need to Know About Bank of America and Wells Fargo’s Holiday Hours
Both Bank of America and Wells Fargo have confirmed that their branches will be closed on January 1, 2025, which is New Year’s Day. This aligns with the closure of many businesses across the country, as New Year’s Day is one of the eleven federal holidays recognized in the United States. On these holidays, government offices and public institutions typically close their doors. However, private businesses, especially banks, often follow the federal holiday schedule to offer their employees time off.
While these major banks are closed on January 1, they will remain open on December 31, New Year’s Eve. However, expect an early closing time. Many bank branches will shut down by 4:00 p.m. local time, allowing employees to join in the festivities later in the day.
ATM and Mobile Banking Services Will Be Available
If you’re planning to conduct banking transactions during the holiday, don’t worry. Even though physical branches will be closed on January 1, ATMs and mobile banking services will continue to be available. You can still carry out various tasks such as bill payments, money transfers, and account management through your bank’s mobile app or ATM network.
Banking services will return to normal on January 2, 2025, when branches open their doors again during regular business hours.
What About UPS and FedEx Delivery?
If you have packages arriving around New Year’s, you might wonder about the status of delivery services. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, UPS will only deliver Air and International Air packages that are scheduled for delivery. Their regular ground service will be paused, and deliveries will resume after the holiday.
Similarly, FedEx will offer both pickup and delivery services on New Year’s Eve, though certain locations might close earlier than usual. FedEx Express and FedEx Freight will operate with limited hours, but FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery will continue as usual.
A Big Change in the Banking Industry: Bank of America and Citigroup Leave the Net-Zero Banking Alliance
In addition to their holiday schedules, two major U.S. banks, Bank of America and Citigroup, made headlines this week for a different reason. On Tuesday, both financial giants announced that they are leaving the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). The NZBA is a global coalition of banks committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The decision to leave the alliance came shortly after Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo exited. These moves have drawn attention, particularly in light of growing pressure from Republican lawmakers, who have criticized banks for their association with climate activism, especially regarding fossil fuel industries.
Both Bank of America and Citigroup stated that they have made significant progress toward reducing carbon emissions and are focusing on balancing their environmental goals with the economic needs of their clients. By stepping away from the NZBA, the two banks are signaling their intent to distance themselves from climate change activism and prioritize economic stability in the face of growing political tensions.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
While some critics argue that leaving the Net-Zero Banking Alliance signals a rollback on environmental efforts, both Bank of America and Citigroup have made strides toward reducing their carbon footprint. The banks are still committed to achieving net-zero emissions within their portfolios, but they now face the delicate balance of satisfying both environmental and political pressures.
The moves of these financial institutions have raised questions about the future of climate-conscious banking. With Republican-led states, including Texas, filing lawsuits against companies like BlackRock and Vanguard over climate-related investments, it’s clear that the relationship between banking, politics, and environmental responsibility is becoming increasingly complex.
As these developments unfold, it will be interesting to see how other banks and financial firms respond. Will more institutions follow the lead of Bank of America and Citigroup? Only time will tell.
Conclusion
As you prepare to ring in the new year, make sure to keep track of the banking hours for Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other financial institutions. While they will be closed on January 1, 2025, mobile banking and ATMs will still be available to handle your needs. If you need to send or receive packages, UPS and FedEx will continue service on New Year’s Eve with limited hours.
The decision by Bank of America and Citigroup to leave the Net-Zero Banking Alliance is another key development to watch, reflecting the growing intersection of banking, climate policy, and political dynamics in the United States.
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Archer Bannister is a journalist with 4 years of experience covering hard-hitting stories. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Archer specializes in delivering timely and in-depth updates on a variety of topics, including crime news, politics, and national issues affecting the USA. His expertise and dedication to delivering accurate, impactful news make him a trusted voice for audiences seeking to stay informed on critical topics.