What Is a Business Day?

What Is a Business Day and How Long Is It?

By Catherine Brock – Updated Aug 7, 2025 at 12:19 AM

Key Points

Understanding business days helps anticipate fund accessibility and transaction timings.
Shipping and contract deadlines often extend past expected dates due to non-business days.
Stock transactions are processed on business days, affecting immediate buying or selling.

Nothing official happens when the banks are closed, right? That may be why the concept of business days exists. A business day is a weekday that isn't a holiday, so basically, it’s any day your banker is in the office.

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An infographic defining and explaining the term "business day." — Image source: The Motley Fool

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About the Author

Catherine grew up in Southern California wearing a lot of black and trying to perfect the art of sarcasm. Prior to joining The Fool as a contract writer, Catherine was climbing the corporate ladder in marketing roles and dabbling in too many side hustles. When she's not writing, she can be found riding a horse in the country or shopping online for clothes.

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American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Catherine Brock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.