Check the Federal Holiday Calendar First
The simplest way to know if Monday is a bank holiday is to look at the federal holiday calendar published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. This calendar lists all days when federal offices close. Most banks follow the same schedule, though some observe additional holidays or handle them differently.
Go to opm.gov and search for "federal holidays" — you will find a list showing which Mondays are holidays for the current year and the next. The calendar shows the actual date and the name of the holiday. If Monday appears on that list, most banks will be closed.
Keep in mind that the calendar changes slightly each year. A holiday that falls on a weekend gets observed on a different weekday — for example, if Independence Day lands on a Saturday, banks may observe it on Friday instead. The OPM calendar accounts for these shifts.
Key Takeaways
- The federal holiday calendar at opm.gov shows which Mondays are bank holidays for the current and upcoming years.
- Most banks close on federal holidays, but some regional or community banks may have different schedules.
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, the observed date moves to the nearest weekday — usually Friday or Monday.
- Your own bank's website or customer service line will confirm whether that specific Monday affects your account access or transactions.
The Difference Between Federal Holidays and Bank Holidays
Not every bank holiday is a federal holiday, and not every federal holiday closes every bank. Federal holidays are days when the federal government shuts down — this includes the Federal Reserve, which processes most banking transactions. When the Federal Reserve closes, most banks close too, because they cannot complete their core work.
However, some banks observe additional holidays beyond the federal list. A bank might close for a state holiday, a religious observance, or a local commemoration. A few large banks stay open on some federal holidays but with reduced hours or limited services. Community banks and credit unions sometimes have their own schedules.
The safest approach is to check your specific bank's holiday schedule rather than assume it matches the federal calendar. Most banks post this information on their website under "Hours" or "Holiday Hours."
What Happens to Your Transactions on a Bank Holiday Monday
If Monday is a bank holiday and your bank is closed, any transactions you attempt — deposits, withdrawals, transfers, bill payments — will not process that day. Checks you deposit will not clear. Automatic payments scheduled for that day may process the next business day instead, depending on your bank's system.
Online banking and ATM access usually continue during bank holidays, since those systems run 24/7. You can check your balance, move money between your own accounts, and withdraw cash from an ATM. However, transactions that require a person to process them — like a teller deposit or a wire transfer — will wait until the bank reopens.
If you need to make a time-sensitive transaction on a Monday that might be a holiday, do it on Friday instead. This prevents delays and gives you certainty that the transaction will process the same day.
The Nine Federal Holidays Most Banks Observe
These are the days when the federal government and most banks close. The dates are fixed, but when a holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the observed date shifts to the nearest weekday:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January)
- Presidents' Day (third Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Notice that some holidays always fall on a Monday — Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are set by law to occur on specific Mondays. If you see one of these dates approaching on a Monday, your bank will almost certainly be closed.
How to Check Your Bank's Specific Holiday Schedule
Your bank may have a different schedule than the federal standard. To find out whether your bank is closed on a particular Monday, visit your bank's website and look for a link labeled "Hours," "Holiday Hours," "Locations," or "Contact Us." Many banks post their full-year holiday schedule in one place.
If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service number — the number on the back of your debit card or on your statements. A representative can tell you when ready whether that Monday is a holiday for your bank and what services remain available.
If you bank with a credit union, check its website the same way. Credit unions sometimes observe different holidays than banks, especially if they are tied to a specific employer or community.
What to Do if You Need Banking Services on a Holiday Monday
If Monday is a bank holiday and you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, use your bank's ATM. Most ATMs work around the clock, even when the branch is closed. You can deposit checks through an ATM envelope, withdraw cash, and transfer money between your own accounts.
For transactions that require human help — like disputing a charge, opening a new account, or getting a cashier's check — you will need to wait until Tuesday or visit a different branch that is open. Some banks have branches in different time zones or operate on different schedules, so it is worth checking whether another location near you is open.
If you use online banking, you can initiate transfers and bill payments on a holiday Monday, but they may not process until the next business day. Check your bank's website for its processing times before you assume a payment will go through when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
If Monday is a holiday, when do my automatic payments process?
Most automatic payments scheduled for a holiday Monday will process on Tuesday instead. However, this depends on your bank's system and the type of payment. Check with your bank or review your account settings to confirm the timing for your specific payments.
Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday Monday?
Yes. Your debit card works at ATMs and stores on bank holidays because those transactions do not require your bank branch to be open. However, if you need to dispute a charge or freeze your card, you will have to contact your bank on a business day.
Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?
Most banks close on the nine federal holidays listed above, but some regional banks, credit unions, or online banks may have different schedules. Check your specific bank's website or call customer service to be certain.
What if I deposit a check on a holiday Monday through an ATM?
The check will be received and held in your account, but it will not clear until the next business day. The bank processes ATM deposits after it reopens, so a check deposited on Monday will typically clear on Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the check's origin.
How do I know if my bank observes a state or local holiday?
Check your bank's holiday schedule on its website, or call customer service and ask specifically about state and local holidays in your area. Some banks close for holidays that are not federal, especially if they are headquartered in or have many branches in that state.