Bank Holidays

The words bank holiday have a different connotation in the United States than they have in other countries. In the United States it refers to an emergency closing of banks. A bank holiday in the 1930’s came about when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered the closing of all United States banks in 1933. In the United State Federal Bank holidays are actually public holidays. For a listing of Federal Reserve Bank holidays contact your local banking institution.

UK bank holidays mean something quite different. Bank holidays in UK are public holidays celebrated by the entire country. You will find the dates designated for 2007 international bank holidays vary greatly from country to country. For example in the UK May bank holiday celebrations take place on May Day. There is traditionally a May Day Run and festivals are held throughout the country. It has also been a day for anti-capitalist demonstrations to be held. Some of the ones in past years have included destruction of property.

Many Irish bank holidays are the same as the ones in the United Kingdom, though they do have holidays exclusive to their country. Some of the 2007 bank holidays they will celebrate include New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday, May Day, Orangemen’s Day, and Christmas Day. August bank holiday weekend events are also planned. For a complete and up to date list contact your local Irish bank branch or log on to the internet. Keep in mind, even if the bank is closed you can still access ATMs and online banking services.

A bank holiday weekend is a good time to plan a trip. Many companies and schools observe the same holidays as banks do. Chances are, unless your work in the entertainment or some services industries, you may have a three or four day weekend available to plan a trip. While you are traveling you may find a bank holiday event to attend. Banks help make a wide array of events available by sponsoring marathons, rodeos, theatre productions and many other attractions in the towns you may be traveling through.

If you have a question about when the next 2007 bank holiday will take place contact your local branch. Their friendly helpful staff will be able to assist you. Just remember, when you are planning your trip, take care of your banking business that must be handled by banking personnel the day before you leave. The bank will be closed for a holiday.