WASHINGTON—With Thanksgiving coming next week, is a credit union permitted to close for four consecutive days?
According to CUNA’s compliance staff, the answer is yes, per federal law.
Despite popular claims that financial institutions are not allowed by law to close for four or more consecutive days, such a law does not exist at the federal level,” CUNA said. “However, credit unions are encouraged to investigate as to whether or not a state law in its jurisdiction speaks to this subject.”
When determining its holiday schedule, a credit union should keep member service in mind as well as its other obligations under federal law, CUNA said. Credit unions should consider if staff must be present to clear checks, release funds availability holds or perform other required functions.
For example, Regulation CC, which deals with the availability of funds and collection of checks, provides for the following, CUNA explained:
- Electronic payments must be made available for withdrawal not later than the business day following the date of deposit; and
- Checks must be made available for withdrawal not later than the second business day following the date of deposit.
“In addition, the new same-day automated clearinghouse (ACH) rule that went into effect Sept. 23 requires a receiving depository institution to make an ACH credit available no later than the end of its processing day,” CUNA said.