Monday is a bank holiday only if it falls on a federal holiday or if your bank observes it as one

Not every Monday is a bank holiday. Monday becomes a bank holiday only when it is the actual date of a federal holiday, or when your specific bank has chosen to observe a federal holiday on that Monday instead of its official date. The federal government observes 11 permanent holidays each year, and most of them fall on fixed dates—not always Mondays. When a holiday lands on a weekend, the federal government and most banks shift the observance to the nearest weekday, usually the Monday before or after.

Whether your bank is open on a given Monday depends on two things: whether that Monday is a federal holiday date, and whether your bank follows federal holiday schedules. Most banks do, but some regional or smaller institutions may have different policies. The safest way to know is to check your bank's website or call the branch directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal holidays fall on fixed dates, and most do not land on Mondays—only when the date itself is a Monday, or when the holiday is observed on a substitute Monday, is that Monday a bank holiday.
  • When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks observe it on the Friday before; when it falls on a Sunday, they observe it on the Monday after.
  • The 11 permanent federal holidays include New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but only a few naturally fall on Mondays.
  • Some banks may close on additional days beyond federal holidays, so checking your bank's specific holiday schedule is the only way to be certain.

Which federal holidays actually fall on Mondays

Only two federal holidays are always observed on a Monday: Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) and Labor Day (the first Monday in September). These are the only two federal holidays with dates that are defined as "the Monday of" a particular week, so they will always land on a Monday.

The other nine permanent federal holidays fall on fixed calendar dates: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15), Presidents' Day (February 15), Independence Day (July 4), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (November 23–27, depending on the year), Christmas Day (December 25), and two others. When any of these dates land on a Monday, that Monday is a bank holiday. But they do not always land on Monday—they cycle through the days of the week.

For example, Independence Day is always July 4. If July 4 falls on a Monday, your bank will likely be closed that Monday. If July 4 falls on a Wednesday, your bank will be closed on Wednesday, not Monday.

What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend

When a federal holiday lands on a Saturday, most banks observe the holiday on the Friday before. When a federal holiday lands on a Sunday, most banks observe it on the Monday after. This is why you might see a bank closed on a Monday that does not seem to have a holiday—it is actually observing a holiday that fell on the Sunday before.

For example, if New Year's Day (January 1) falls on a Sunday, most banks will be closed on Monday, January 2, instead. If Independence Day falls on a Saturday, most banks will be closed on Friday, July 3, instead. This shift is standard across the federal banking system, though individual banks may have slightly different policies.

The federal government publishes an official holiday schedule each year that shows which days federal offices will be closed. Most banks follow this same schedule, but you should verify with your bank if you are unsure about a specific Monday.

How to check if your bank is closed on a specific Monday

The fastest way to know whether your bank is open on a Monday is to visit your bank's website and look for their holiday schedule or hours page. Most banks publish this information clearly, often labeled "Holiday Hours" or "Bank Holidays." You can also call your branch directly and ask whether they will be open on the Monday in question.

If you need to know the federal holiday schedule for the full year, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management publishes an official list of federal holidays and observed dates. This list shows which days the federal government will be closed, and most banks follow the same schedule. However, some credit unions, online banks, or regional institutions may have different policies, so checking with your specific bank is always the safest approach.

Banks that may not follow the standard federal holiday schedule

Most large national banks follow the federal holiday schedule exactly. However, some smaller regional banks, credit unions, and online banks may have their own policies. A few banks may remain open on certain federal holidays or close on days that are not federal holidays. Online banks sometimes stay open on federal holidays since they do not have physical branches that need to close.

If you use a smaller or regional bank, or if you are unsure whether your bank follows federal holidays, check their website or call ahead. This is especially important if you need to make a time-sensitive transaction on a Monday you think might be a holiday.

What you cannot do on a bank holiday Monday

When your bank is closed on a Monday, you cannot visit a branch in person, speak to a teller, or conduct transactions that require a live person. However, you can usually still use ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps to check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, or pay bills. These services typically run 24/7 even when branches are closed.

If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, you will need to wait until the bank reopens. Checks deposited through mobile apps or ATMs on a holiday Monday will usually be processed the next business day, so the timing may be slightly delayed compared to a regular weekday deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

If Monday is a bank holiday, when will my direct deposit arrive?

Direct deposits scheduled for a bank holiday Monday will usually arrive on the next business day, which is typically Tuesday. However, some employers process payroll the day before, so your deposit might arrive on Friday. Check with your employer about their payroll schedule if you are unsure.

Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday Monday?

Yes. ATMs and debit cards work 24/7, even when your bank branch is closed. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts. However, some transactions that require a live person, like disputing a charge, will need to wait until the branch reopens.

Do all banks close on the same Mondays?

Most large banks follow the federal holiday schedule, so they close on the same days. However, some credit unions, regional banks, and online banks may have different policies. Call your bank to confirm whether they will be open on a specific Monday.

What if I need to reach my bank on a Monday that is a holiday?

Most banks have customer service phone lines that operate even on holidays, though wait times may be longer. You can also use online banking, mobile apps, or ATMs. For urgent issues, check your bank's website for holiday contact information.