Most Mondays are not bank holidays, but some are—and the ones that are change the way banks operate
A bank holiday is a day when federal banks close and do not process transactions. Not every Monday is one. In the United States, there are ten federal bank holidays each year, and only some of them fall on Monday. When a federal holiday lands on a Monday, banks close that day. When it lands on a different weekday, banks close on that day instead. If a holiday falls on a weekend, the federal government observes it on the nearest weekday—usually the Friday before or the Monday after.
The key thing to know: if you need to deposit a check, transfer money, or get a response from your bank on a Monday, first check whether that specific Monday is a bank holiday. If it is, your transaction will not process until the next business day.
Key Takeaways
- Bank holidays happen on ten specific federal holidays each year, and only some of them fall on Monday.
- When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, it is observed on the nearest weekday—usually Monday or Friday.
- On a bank holiday Monday, banks are closed and do not process deposits, transfers, or other transactions.
- You can check the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar to see which Mondays are bank holidays in any given year.
The ten federal bank holidays and when they fall
The federal government recognizes ten holidays each year. Most have a fixed date; one (Thanksgiving) is always the fourth Thursday of November; and one (Memorial Day) is always the last Monday of May. Because of this, Memorial Day is a bank holiday every single year on a Monday.
The other nine holidays have fixed dates. When any of them land on a Saturday, the federal government observes the holiday on Friday. When any land on a Sunday, it observes the holiday on Monday. This means that New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas can all fall on a Monday—but not every year.
| Holiday | Fixed or Floating | When It Falls on Monday |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | When January 1 is a Monday |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Third Monday in January | Every year |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday in February | Every year |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | Every year |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | When June 19 is a Monday |
| Independence Day | July 4 | When July 4 is a Monday |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | Every year |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October | Every year |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | When November 11 is a Monday |
| Thanksgiving | Fourth Thursday in November | Never (always Thursday) |
| Christmas | December 25 | When December 25 is a Monday |
Five of the ten federal bank holidays are always observed on a Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day. These are the Mondays you can count on every year.
What happens to your bank transactions on a Monday bank holiday
When a Monday is a bank holiday, your bank is closed. This means no deposits are processed, no transfers go through, and no customer service staff are available. Any transaction you attempt—whether online, by phone, or in person—will not complete until the next business day, which is usually Tuesday.
Automatic payments and direct deposits scheduled for a bank holiday Monday may still post, but the timing depends on your bank and the type of transaction. Some banks process these the day before; others process them the day after. If you have a payment due on a bank holiday Monday, contact your bank or the organization you are paying to confirm when the transaction will actually clear.
Wire transfers and ACH transfers initiated on a bank holiday Monday will not begin processing until the next business day. If you need money to move quickly, avoid initiating transfers on a Monday bank holiday.
How to learn about a specific Monday is a bank holiday
The Federal Reserve publishes an official holiday calendar each year. You can find it on the Federal Reserve's website under "Holiday Schedules." This calendar lists every day the Federal Reserve and member banks will be closed.
Your own bank may also have a holiday calendar on its website or in your online banking portal. Some banks close on additional days beyond the federal holidays—for example, some regional banks observe state holidays—so checking your specific bank's calendar is the safest approach.
If you are unsure whether a particular Monday is a bank holiday, call your bank's customer service line. They can tell you when ready whether they will be open that day.
Planning around Monday bank holidays
If you know a Monday bank holiday is coming and you need to move money or deposit a check, do it the Friday before. This gives you a full business day to handle the transaction before the holiday closes the banks.
If you are expecting a deposit or transfer on a bank holiday Monday, plan for it to arrive on Tuesday instead. Do not assume it will post on the holiday itself, even if it is scheduled for that day.
For recurring payments or deposits, set them up for a day other than a bank holiday Monday if possible. If your paycheck is direct deposited and a payday falls on a bank holiday Monday, your employer may deposit it the Friday before or the Tuesday after—ask your payroll department which day they use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my direct deposit post on a Monday bank holiday?
It depends on your employer and your bank. Some employers deposit payroll the day before a holiday; others deposit it the day after. Contact your payroll department to find out which day your deposit will actually post when payday falls on a bank holiday Monday.
Can I use an ATM on a Monday bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 even when the bank is closed. You can withdraw cash and check your balance on a bank holiday Monday. However, deposits made at an ATM on a holiday may not be credited to your account until the next business day.
What if I need to reach my bank on a Monday bank holiday?
Most banks do not staff customer service lines on federal holidays. If you have an urgent issue, look for a bank branch that may be open (some branches in different time zones or regions may operate), or wait until the next business day. For true emergencies, some banks have after-hours support numbers listed on their website.
Do all banks close on the same Monday bank holidays?
Federal banks close on the ten federal holidays. However, some banks may also observe additional state or regional holidays. Credit unions and online banks may have different schedules. Check your specific bank's holiday calendar to be certain.