Most Mondays are not bank holidays, but some specific Mondays are
Monday is a regular business day for banks and federal offices in the United States most weeks of the year. However, certain Mondays are observed as federal holidays, which means banks close and federal employees do not work. These holidays fall on different dates each year because they are tied to specific observances rather than fixed calendar dates.
The Mondays that are bank holidays depend on the holiday itself. Some federal holidays always fall on a Monday by design — they are observed on the third Monday of a month, for example. Others fall on whatever day of the week they land on that year. If that day happens to be a Monday, then yes, that Monday is a bank holiday.
Key Takeaways
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day always falls on the third Monday in January and is a federal bank holiday every year.
- Presidents' Day always falls on the third Monday in February and closes banks nationwide.
- Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday in May and is observed by banks and federal offices.
- Labor Day always falls on the first Monday in September and is a federal bank holiday.
- Other federal holidays like Independence Day or Thanksgiving may fall on a Monday in some years but not others.
The four Mondays that are always bank holidays
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January. Banks close, federal offices shut down, and the stock market does not trade. This holiday has been observed nationwide since 1983.
Presidents' Day is observed on the third Monday of February. Despite its name, this is the federal holiday for Washington's Birthday. Banks close and federal employees have the day off.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. Banks close, and this day honors military personnel who died in service. The stock market is closed.
Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September. Banks close and federal offices are shut. This holiday honors the contributions of workers.
Other federal holidays that sometimes fall on Monday
Several federal holidays are fixed to specific calendar dates rather than a specific Monday. When these dates land on a Monday, that Monday becomes a bank holiday. When they land on other days of the week, Monday remains a regular business day.
Independence Day (July 4) is a bank holiday whenever it occurs. If July 4 falls on a Monday, banks close that day. If it falls on a Tuesday through Friday, banks close on that day instead. If it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the observed holiday may shift to Friday or Monday depending on federal rules.
Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) is always a Thursday, so it is never a Monday. However, the day after Thanksgiving is often treated as a holiday by banks and many businesses, though it is not a federal holiday.
Christmas (December 25) is a bank holiday whenever it occurs. If Christmas falls on a Monday, banks close that Monday. If it falls on a weekend, the observed holiday shifts to the nearest weekday.
How to know if a specific Monday is a bank holiday
The easiest way to check is to look at the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar or your bank's website. Most banks post their holiday schedules at the start of the year. The Federal Reserve publishes a list of all days when banks will be closed for federal holidays.
You can also count the weeks yourself. If you know the date, you can determine whether it is the third Monday of the month (MLK Day or Presidents' Day), the last Monday of May (Memorial Day), or the first Monday of September (Labor Day). For fixed-date holidays like July 4 or December 25, check what day of the week they fall on that year.
What happens to banking services on a Monday bank holiday
When a Monday is a federal bank holiday, most brick-and-mortar bank branches close for the day. ATMs remain available for withdrawals and deposits. Online banking services continue to work normally — you can check balances, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills through your bank's website or app.
However, transactions that require human processing may not go through until the next business day. A check you deposit on a Monday bank holiday may not clear until Tuesday. Wire transfers initiated on a holiday may not process until the following day. The stock market is also closed on federal bank holidays, so stock trades cannot be executed.
State holidays that might close banks on a Monday
Some states observe additional holidays beyond the federal list. These state holidays vary widely. For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, which falls on different dates depending on the state. Some states observe Juneteenth (June 19), which became a federal holiday in 2021.
State-specific holidays do not automatically close all banks nationwide. A bank in a state that observes a particular state holiday may close on that day, while banks in other states remain open. If you live in a state with additional holidays, check your bank's website or call ahead to confirm whether they will be closed on a specific Monday.
Planning around Monday bank holidays
If you need to conduct banking business on a Monday, check the calendar first to see whether that Monday is a federal holiday. If it is, plan to visit your bank on Friday or the following Tuesday instead. For time-sensitive transactions, use online banking or ATMs, which remain available even when branches are closed.
If you are expecting a deposit or payment to arrive on a Monday bank holiday, it will likely not process until Tuesday. Payroll deposits, tax refunds, and other government payments may be delayed by one day if the deposit date falls on a federal holiday. Check with your employer or the agency sending the payment to confirm their holiday schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every Monday a bank holiday?
No. Only specific Mondays tied to federal holidays are bank holidays. These include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), and Labor Day (first Monday in September). Most other Mondays are regular business days.
Can I use an ATM on a Monday bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs remain available 24/7 even when bank branches are closed for federal holidays. You can withdraw cash, deposit checks, and check your balance on a Monday bank holiday. However, deposited checks may not clear until the next business day.
Will my paycheck deposit on a Monday bank holiday?
Payroll deposits scheduled for a Monday bank holiday typically process the next business day instead. Contact your employer or payroll department to confirm their holiday schedule. Some employers deposit payroll the Friday before if Monday is a holiday.
Do all banks close on the same Mondays?
Federal banks close on all federal holidays. However, some credit unions and private banks may have different schedules. Check with your specific bank to confirm which Mondays they observe as holidays. State-chartered banks may also observe state holidays that differ from federal holidays.
What if a federal holiday falls on a Sunday — is Monday a bank holiday instead?
When a federal holiday falls on a Sunday, the observed holiday is typically moved to Monday. For example, if Independence Day falls on a Sunday, banks close on Monday instead. Check the Federal Reserve's calendar or your bank's website to confirm the observed date for that year.