Most Mondays are not bank holidays, but some are
A Monday is a bank holiday only if it falls on one of the 11 federal holidays the U.S. government observes each year, or if your state or employer has declared that specific Monday a holiday. The federal holidays that most often land on Monday are Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Labor Day (first Monday in September), and Presidents' Day (third Monday in February). New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas can fall on Monday, but they do not always.
If a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most banks close on Friday instead. If it falls on a Sunday, most banks close on Monday. This means some Mondays become bank holidays by substitution, even though the actual holiday is on a different day. Your own bank may also observe state holidays or company holidays that fall on Monday, so checking your bank's holiday calendar is the only way to know for certain whether a specific Monday will affect your access to services.
Key Takeaways
- Federal bank holidays occur on fixed dates or fixed days of the week — Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May, and Labor Day is always the first Monday in September.
- When a federal holiday falls on Saturday, banks typically close on Friday; when it falls on Sunday, banks typically close on Monday.
- Your bank may also observe state holidays or company holidays that are not federal holidays, so you should check your bank's published holiday schedule.
- On bank holidays, branches close and ATM-only access may be limited, but online banking and bill pay usually continue to work normally.
- If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on a Monday that is a bank holiday, plan ahead by using an ATM or mobile deposit the day before.
The 11 federal holidays and which ones always fall on Monday
Three federal holidays are always observed on a Monday: Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Labor Day (first Monday in September), and Presidents' Day (third Monday in February). These dates were chosen specifically to create long weekends, so they will never fall on any other day of the week.
The other eight federal holidays fall on fixed calendar dates, which means they land on different days of the week each year. New Year's Day is January 1, Independence Day is July 4, Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November, and Christmas is December 25. Veterans Day (November 11), Columbus Day (October 12), and Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15) also fall on fixed dates. Election Day (the Tuesday after the first Monday in November) is observed only in even-numbered years and never on Monday.
When any of these fixed-date holidays fall on a Monday, your bank will close that Monday. When they fall on Saturday or Sunday, your bank will close on the nearest weekday — usually Friday for Saturday holidays and Monday for Sunday holidays.
How to learn about a specific Monday is a bank holiday
The easiest way is to check your bank's website directly. Most banks publish a holiday calendar showing which days their branches will be closed. Search for "[Your Bank Name] holiday hours" or "[Your Bank Name] holiday schedule" and look for a calendar or list. This calendar will show both federal holidays and any state or company holidays your bank observes.
You can also call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch and ask whether they will be open on a specific Monday. If you know the date you need to do banking, asking ahead takes only a minute and prevents a wasted trip.
The Federal Reserve publishes the official federal holiday schedule, but that does not tell you whether your specific bank will close — some banks remain open on certain federal holidays, especially if they are in states that do not recognize that holiday. Your bank's own calendar is always the source of truth.
What services stay open on bank holidays
When a bank closes on a Monday holiday, its physical branches shut down and you cannot speak to a teller or visit a loan officer. However, most banks keep their online banking, mobile app, and bill pay systems running 24/7, even on holidays. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up bill payments from home.
ATMs typically remain available at your bank's locations and at partner ATM networks, though some banks limit ATM access on certain holidays. If you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash on a holiday Monday, an ATM or mobile check deposit (if your bank offers it) are your options. Mobile deposit lets you photograph a check and submit it through your bank's app, which usually posts to your account by the next business day.
If you need to speak to someone or handle a transaction that requires a teller, you will have to wait until the next business day. Planning ahead — depositing checks the Friday before or withdrawing cash in advance — is the simplest approach.
State holidays that may fall on Monday
Some states observe holidays that are not federal holidays, and some states do not observe all federal holidays. For example, South Carolina observes Confederate Memorial Day, Hawaii observes Kamehameha Day, and several states have their own versions of holidays like Juneteenth or Indigenous Peoples' Day. If your bank is located in or operates branches in one of these states, it may close on that state holiday even if it is not a federal holiday.
Banks that operate in multiple states sometimes close on all state holidays observed in any state where they have branches, and sometimes close only on the holidays of the state where each branch is located. This variation is why checking your specific bank's calendar is essential — a bank holiday in one state may not be a holiday at another branch of the same bank in a different state.
What to do if you need banking services on a Monday holiday
If you know a Monday is a bank holiday and you need to handle banking that day, plan ahead. Deposit checks, withdraw cash, or make transfers the Friday before. Set up automatic bill payments or use your bank's online bill pay system so you do not have to visit a branch. If you use a credit union instead of a bank, check its holiday schedule separately — credit unions sometimes observe different holidays than banks.
If an emergency arises on a holiday Monday and you need cash, look for an ATM at a partner bank or network. If you need to speak to someone, some banks have customer service phone lines open on holidays, though wait times are often longer. Check your bank's website or the back of your debit card for a customer service number you can call.
For time-sensitive transactions like wire transfers or loan applications, do not wait until Monday if Monday is a holiday. Complete these on Friday or the Thursday before to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every Monday in May a bank holiday?
No. Only the last Monday in May is a bank holiday — that is Memorial Day. The other Mondays in May are regular business days. You can find the exact date by looking at a calendar or your bank's holiday schedule.
Do banks close on Presidents' Day?
Yes. Presidents' Day is the third Monday in February and is a federal holiday. Most banks close on this day, though you can still use ATMs and online banking. Check your bank's schedule to confirm, as a small number of banks remain open on some federal holidays.
If a holiday falls on Sunday, is Monday a bank holiday?
Usually yes. When a federal holiday falls on Sunday, most banks close on the following Monday instead. However, this is not a rule — some banks close on Friday if the holiday falls on Saturday, and some stay open on the substitute Monday. Your bank's holiday calendar will show which day it actually closes.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday Monday?
Yes. You can use your debit card at ATMs, online retailers, and other businesses on a bank holiday. You can also use your bank's mobile app and online banking. The only thing you cannot do is visit a physical branch or speak to a teller.
What if my bank is open on a Monday but it is a federal holiday?
Some banks stay open on federal holidays, especially smaller banks or those in certain states. If your bank is open, you can visit a branch and conduct business as usual. Check your bank's holiday schedule or call ahead to confirm.