We plan to close some of our branches on a day we normally would be open in order to allow our employees to attend a day-long volunteer event. What do we need to do in order to close those branches for that day? The day we want to close is not a holiday, and we are a state-chartered bank.

The Illinois Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act requires Illinois banks to take three steps before a one-time closing such as this: (1) adopt a resolution authorizing the closure; (2) send a copy of the resolution to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; and (3) conspicuously post a notice in the lobby of the main banking office and any branches for at least three weeks before the closure.

For resources related to our guidance, please see:

  • Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act, 205 ILCS 630/17(c) (“If an occasion arises when a state bank wishes to remain closed on a particular day, other than a day on which the bank has selected to remain closed on a regular basis as provided in this Section, such state bank may remain closed on such an occasion after first sending to the Commissioner a copy of a resolution adopted by the board of directors authorizing the bank to remain closed on such occasion and notice of the intent to remain closed on such occasion shall be conspicuously posted in the lobby of the main banking office and any branches of such bank for at least 3 weeks in advance of such occasion. Any day which any bank doing business within the State shall select to remain closed pursuant to this Section shall, with respect to such bank, be treated and considered as a Sunday.”)