Reference Articles

Business Day Rule Library

These articles explain the rules behind payment timing, business day counting, and bank processing. Each article covers how a rule works, why it matters, and where to check timing for your own situation.

Business Days

What Is a Business Day?

The difference between calendar days and business days, how weekends and federal holidays are excluded, and why the distinction matters for payments and deadlines.

Read article → Federal Holidays

Federal Holidays and Business Days

Which days are US federal holidays, how observed holidays shift dates, and why a Monday holiday pushes payment processing to Tuesday.

Read article → Bank Cutoff

Bank Cutoff Times Explained

What cutoff times are, what happens when you submit a payment after the deadline, and the Friday-afternoon scenario that delays processing until Monday.

Read article → ACH Processing

ACH Processing Times

How ACH payments move between banks, the difference between processing and posting, and same-day ACH windows.

Read article → Payment Delays

Weekend and Holiday Payment Delays

Why a payment submitted on Friday evening doesn't arrive until Tuesday, and how holiday weekends create even longer gaps.

Read article →
Using This Site

How to Use This Reference

Start with a question

If your payment didn't arrive when expected, or you need to know whether a date counts as a business day, find the relevant article above. Each one explains a specific rule in plain language.

Then check your dates

Once you understand the rule, the calculator tools linked from each article let you check specific dates, cutoff times, and payday timing for your situation.

Rules vary by institution

Business day rules are governed by federal law and the Federal Reserve, but cutoff times and posting schedules vary by bank. These articles explain general rules — always verify with your institution.

No advice provided

Nothing on this site is legal, financial, or banking advice. The content is for general informational purposes. Your bank's specific policies may differ.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Saturday a business day?
    No. In US banking and federal context, business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
  • Do banks process payments on federal holidays?
    No. The Federal Reserve is closed on federal holidays, and ACH settlements do not occur on those days.
  • Why did my Friday payment not arrive until Tuesday?
    If you submitted after the bank's cutoff time on Friday, processing begins on the next business day (Monday). If Monday is a federal holiday, processing starts Tuesday.

View all FAQs →