How to know if a specific Monday was a bank holiday
The simplest way to check is to look at the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar or the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) list of federal holidays. Both publish the exact dates each year. If you're asking about a Monday that has already passed, you can search for "federal holidays [year]" and cross-reference the date. Most banks and government offices post their holiday schedules on their websites too.
The catch: not every Monday that is a federal holiday closes every bank. Some banks stay open on certain holidays, and some holidays only close federal offices, not private banks. The day matters less than which institution you're asking about.
Key Takeaways
- Federal holidays are set by Congress and apply to federal offices and most banks, but some banks may stay open on certain holidays.
- The OPM website and the Federal Reserve both publish the official list of federal holidays for each year.
- If a holiday falls on a weekend, the observed holiday is usually moved to the nearest weekday — often the Monday before or after.
- Private banks and credit unions can choose to stay open on federal holidays, so calling ahead or checking your bank's website is the only way to be certain.
- If you need to know whether a specific Monday was a holiday for payroll, banking, or government purposes, the year and the exact date matter.
The federal holidays that typically fall on Mondays
Several federal holidays are observed on Mondays by law. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is always the third Monday in January. Presidents' Day (officially Washington's Birthday) is always the third Monday in February. Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May. Labor Day is always the first Monday in September.
When other holidays fall on a weekend, the observed holiday shifts to Monday. If Independence Day (July 4) lands on a Saturday, the observed holiday is Friday. If it lands on a Sunday, the observed holiday is Monday, July 5. The same rule applies to Thanksgiving (always Thursday) and Christmas (December 25) — if Christmas falls on a Sunday, the observed holiday becomes Monday, December 26.
Where to find the official federal holiday list
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management publishes the federal holidays each year at opm.gov under "Holidays." The Federal Reserve also maintains a calendar at federalreserve.gov. Both list the exact date and the day of the week for each holiday. You can search by year if you need to verify a Monday from a past year.
Your own bank or credit union may have a different schedule. Call the number on the back of your card or check their website for their specific holiday hours. Government agencies, the U.S. Postal Service, and most banks close on federal holidays, but some credit unions and private banks stay open.
Why the day of the week matters for paychecks and deadlines
If you're asking because a payment didn't arrive on Monday or a deadline shifted, the holiday status affects when banks process transactions. Deposits and transfers that would normally clear on a Monday may not post until Tuesday if Monday was a federal holiday. The same applies to bill payments and check clearing.
For payroll, if your payday falls on a federal holiday, your employer typically pays you on the last business day before the holiday. Check your employee handbook or ask payroll directly — the rule varies by employer. If you're waiting for a government payment like a tax refund or Social Security deposit, a Monday holiday can delay the posting by one business day.
How to confirm if your bank was closed on a specific Monday
The fastest way is to call your bank's customer service line or check their website. Most banks list their holiday hours prominently during the week of a holiday. If you're checking after the fact, your bank's transaction history will show whether deposits posted on Monday or were delayed to Tuesday.
If you received a payment that you expected on Monday but it arrived on Tuesday, and Monday was a federal holiday, that explains the one-day delay. If the delay was longer, contact your bank or the organization that sent the payment to find out why.
State and local holidays that may not close banks
Some states observe holidays that are not federal holidays. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, so most banks now close on June 19. But states like Texas also observe Emancipation Day on June 19, and some states have their own regional holidays. These state holidays do not automatically close private banks or federal offices unless the state or the bank chooses to observe them.
If you're in a state with a local holiday on Monday and your bank stayed open, that's why. Check your state's official holiday list if you're unsure whether a Monday was a state holiday, and then contact your bank to see whether they observe it.
Frequently Asked Questions
If Monday was a federal holiday, will my direct deposit be delayed?
Usually by one business day. If your employer processes payroll on Friday for a Monday holiday, the deposit typically posts on Tuesday instead. Some employers pay on the last business day before the holiday to avoid the delay. Check with your payroll department if you're unsure when to expect the deposit.
Does every bank close on federal holidays?
No. Federal offices and most large banks close, but some credit unions and smaller banks stay open. Call your bank or check their website to confirm their holiday schedule. Even if the branch is closed, you can usually use ATMs and online banking.
What if a holiday falls on a weekend — is the Monday after it a holiday too?
It depends on the holiday. If Christmas falls on Sunday, the observed holiday is Monday, December 26, and banks close that Monday. If Independence Day falls on Saturday, the observed holiday is Friday, July 3, not Monday. The OPM website shows which day is officially observed each year.
How do I know if my state observes a holiday that my bank doesn't?
Check your state government's official holiday list, then call your bank. State holidays do not automatically close private banks. Your bank's website or customer service can tell you whether they observe the holiday in your state.
If a payment was supposed to arrive Monday and didn't, how do I find out why?
First, check whether Monday was a federal holiday — if it was, the delay is likely one business day. If Monday was not a holiday, contact the organization that sent the payment (your employer, the IRS, Social Security, etc.) and ask them to trace it. Your bank can also check whether the payment arrived in their system.