Most Mondays are not bank holidays, but some specific Mondays each year are
The United States observes 11 federal holidays per year, and several of them fall on Mondays. However, the Monday itself is not automatically a holiday — only the Mondays when a specific federal holiday occurs. Banks, government offices, and many businesses close on those days, but regular business days that happen to fall on a Monday are not holidays.
The federal holidays that typically land on Mondays are: 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). Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25) can fall on any day of the week, including Monday.
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, the federal government observes it on Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, the observation moves to Monday. This means some Mondays become holidays because of this rule, even though the actual holiday date is different.
Key Takeaways
- Four federal holidays are scheduled for Mondays every year: MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
- Banks and government offices close on federal holidays, but not on regular Mondays unless a holiday falls that day.
- When a holiday falls on Saturday, it is observed on Friday; when it falls on Sunday, it is observed on Monday.
- Stock markets and bond markets also close on federal holidays, affecting trading and settlement of financial transactions.
- Some states and private employers may have different holiday schedules than the federal government.
The four Mondays that are always federal holidays
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday in January. Banks and federal offices close nationwide. Some states have called it by different names historically, but the federal holiday is now uniform across all 50 states.
Presidents' Day is observed on the third Monday in February. The federal government calls this "Washington's Birthday," but it is widely known as Presidents' Day. Banks close, and most government offices are shut.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. This is a day when banks close and many businesses shut down. The stock market is also closed.
Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September. Banks, government offices, and most businesses close. The stock market does not trade on this day.
When other holidays land on Monday and what happens
Independence Day (July 4) moves around the calendar. When July 4 falls on a Monday, that Monday is a federal holiday and banks close. When July 4 falls on a Saturday, the federal government observes the holiday on Friday (July 3), so that Friday becomes the bank holiday instead. When July 4 falls on a Sunday, the observation moves to Monday (July 5), making that Monday a bank holiday.
Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday in November, so it is never on a Monday. However, the day after Thanksgiving (Friday) is not a federal holiday, though many private employers give it off.
Christmas (December 25) can fall on any day. When it falls on a Monday, that Monday is a bank holiday. When it falls on a Saturday, the observation moves to Friday (December 24). When it falls on a Sunday, the observation moves to Monday (December 26).
How to know if your bank will be closed on a specific Monday
Check your bank's holiday schedule on its website or call the branch directly. Most banks publish their holiday closures for the entire year. The Federal Reserve also maintains an official list of federal holidays that banks observe.
If you need to conduct banking business on a Monday that might be a holiday, verify the date first. You can also use your bank's mobile app or online banking to handle transactions that do not require a branch visit.
State and local holidays that might close banks on Mondays
Some states observe additional holidays beyond the 11 federal holidays. For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, which can fall on different dates depending on the state. A few states observe Juneteenth on June 19, which became a federal holiday in 2021.
Banks in states with additional state holidays may close on those days even though they are not federal holidays. If you live in a state with unique holidays, check your specific bank's schedule rather than assuming the federal holiday list covers all closures.
Local government offices and schools may also observe holidays that banks do not, so the closure status varies by institution type.
What stays open when banks close on Monday holidays
ATMs remain available 24/7, even on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money between your own accounts using an ATM.
Online banking platforms stay open. You can pay bills, transfer money, and check transactions from your computer or phone on any holiday.
Stock markets close on federal holidays, so you cannot trade stocks or bonds. Settlement of trades that were placed before the holiday may be delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every Monday a bank holiday?
No. Only Mondays when a federal holiday occurs are bank holidays. Four Mondays per year are always federal holidays: MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Other holidays may fall on a Monday depending on the calendar year.
What happens if I need to deposit a check on a Monday holiday?
You can deposit checks through your bank's mobile app, ATM, or mail. Mobile deposits and ATM deposits process on the holiday and post to your account the next business day. Mailed checks take longer but do not require a branch visit.
Do all banks close on the same Mondays?
Federal banks close on all 11 federal holidays. However, some credit unions and private banks may have different schedules. Check with your specific financial institution to confirm which Mondays it observes as holidays.
If a holiday falls on Sunday, is Monday always a bank holiday?
Yes. When a federal holiday falls on Sunday, the federal government observes it on Monday, and banks close on that Monday. This applies to Independence Day, Christmas, and any other holiday that lands on a Sunday.
Can I trade stocks on a Monday that is a federal holiday?
No. Stock markets close on all federal holidays, including Mondays when a holiday is observed. You cannot place trades, and existing orders do not execute until the market reopens the next business day.