Most Mondays are not bank holidays, but some specific Mondays are

Monday is not automatically a bank holiday in the United States. However, several federal holidays fall on Mondays every year, and some additional Mondays become holidays when a federal holiday that normally falls on a weekend gets observed on Monday instead. The key is knowing which Mondays those are and how they affect your bank, employer, and government services.

Federal holidays in the US are set by Congress and explore to federal employees and federal offices. Banks follow federal holiday schedules, which means they close on federal holidays. But not every business, employer, or state follows the same schedule — some observe additional holidays, and some do not observe all federal holidays. This matters because it determines whether your bank will be open, whether you can conduct government business, and whether you get paid time off.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal holidays that regularly fall on Monday include Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), and Labor Day (first Monday in September).
  • When a federal holiday falls on Saturday, it is observed on Friday; when it falls on Sunday, it is observed on Monday — so some Mondays become holidays only in certain years.
  • Banks close on all federal holidays, but your employer may not; check your employee handbook or ask your HR department to know whether you get the day off.
  • State and local governments may observe additional holidays that banks do not, and some states observe fewer federal holidays than others.
  • The federal holiday schedule is published annually, so you can check ahead to see which Mondays will be bank holidays in your area.

Which Mondays are federal bank holidays every year

Three federal holidays fall on Monday every single year: Presidents' Day (the third Monday in February), Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), and Labor Day (the first Monday in September). Banks close on all three of these days. Federal offices, the US Postal Service, and most government services also close.

Juneteenth (June 19) and Independence Day (July 4) sometimes fall on Monday, but not every year — it depends on the calendar. When they do fall on Monday, banks close. When they fall on a weekend, the observed holiday shifts: if July 4 falls on Saturday, the holiday is observed on Friday; if it falls on Sunday, the holiday is observed on Monday.

When a weekend holiday moves to Monday

The federal government observes holidays on the day they fall, with one exception: if a holiday falls on Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday; if it falls on Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. This means some Mondays become bank holidays only in certain years.

For example, if Christmas (December 25) falls on a Sunday, the observed holiday is Monday, December 26, and banks will be closed. If New Year's Day (January 1) falls on a Sunday, the observed holiday is Monday, January 2. Check the federal holiday calendar each year to see which Mondays will be affected, because the pattern changes annually.

How to learn about your specific bank will be closed

Your bank's holiday schedule should be posted on its website or available by phone. Most major banks follow the federal holiday schedule exactly, but some regional or community banks may have different schedules. Call your bank's customer service line or check the "Hours" or "Holiday Schedule" section of their website.

If you need to conduct banking business on a Monday you think might be a holiday, do not assume — verify with your bank first. Some banks offer limited services on certain holidays, and some branches may have different hours than others. Online banking and ATMs typically remain available even when physical branches are closed.

The difference between federal holidays and what your employer observes

Federal holidays are days when federal offices close and federal employees get paid time off. Your private employer is not required by federal law to give you the day off or to pay you for federal holidays. Some employers observe all federal holidays, some observe only a few, and some observe none at all.

Check your employee handbook or ask your HR department which holidays your employer observes. Some employers give you a set number of paid days off per year and let you choose which holidays to take; others have a fixed holiday schedule. If a Monday is a federal holiday but your employer does not observe it, you are expected to work, though you may be paid extra (time-and-a-half or double time) depending on your employment contract.

State and local holidays that might close banks on Monday

Some states observe holidays that are not federal holidays. For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, and some states have their own unique holidays. A few states do not observe all federal holidays — for instance, some states do not observe Columbus Day or Thanksgiving in the same way.

If a state or local holiday falls on a Monday, banks in that state or locality may close even if it is not a federal holiday. This is rare but worth checking if you live in a state with distinctive holiday practices. Your state's banking authority or your specific bank can tell you which state and local holidays affect their schedule.

How to plan ahead for Monday bank closures

The federal holiday calendar is published well in advance. You can find the complete list of federal holidays for the current and upcoming years on the Office of Personnel Management website or your bank's website. Mark the Mondays that are holidays on your calendar, especially if you need to deposit checks, withdraw cash, or conduct other banking business that requires a physical branch.

If you need to do banking on or around a holiday Monday, plan ahead: deposit checks or withdraw cash the business day before, or use online banking and ATMs. If you have automatic payments scheduled for a holiday, check with your bank about timing — some banks process payments the day before a holiday, and some process them the day after.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bank be open on Presidents' Day?

No. Presidents' Day (the third Monday in February) is a federal holiday, and banks close on all federal holidays. If you need banking services that day, use your bank's ATM or online banking platform.

What if a holiday falls on Sunday — does the bank close on Monday instead?

Yes. When a federal holiday falls on Sunday, the observed holiday is the following Monday, and banks close. For example, if New Year's Day falls on Sunday, banks close on Monday, January 2.

Can my employer make me work on a federal holiday Monday?

Yes. Federal law does not require private employers to give you the day off on federal holidays. Your employer sets its own holiday schedule. Check your employee handbook or ask HR which holidays your workplace observes.

How do I know if my state has additional holidays that might close banks?

Call your bank directly or check its website for the holiday schedule specific to your state and branch. You can also contact your state's banking authority or department of financial regulation for information about state-specific holidays.

Do online banks close on federal holidays?

Online banks do not have physical branches, so they do not "close" in the traditional sense. However, customer service lines may have limited hours, and some banking functions may be delayed. Check your online bank's holiday schedule for details about service availability.