What is the FDIC, what does it do, and how does it do it

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that was established in 1933 to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect depositors in case an FDIC-insured bank or savings institution fails. This means that if a bank fails, depositors' insured deposits, up to the legal limit, are protected and they will receive their money back. Currently, as of 2023, the standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. The FDIC also works to promote safe and sound banking practices, and helps to prevent bank failures through its examination and supervision of financial institutions.

The FDIC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., in the United States. The agency has additional offices in several cities across the United States, including regional offices, field offices, and liquidation centers.

How does the FDIC work?

The FDIC is primarily funded through premiums paid by banks and savings institutions for deposit insurance coverage. Banks and savings institutions that are insured by the FDIC are required to pay premiums to the FDIC based on the amount of insured deposits they hold. These premiums are placed into a deposit insurance fund, which is used to pay depositors in the event of a bank failure.

In addition to collecting premiums, the FDIC also supervises and examines banks and savings institutions to ensure that they are operating in a safe and sound manner. If the FDIC identifies potential problems or risks, it may take actions such as requiring the bank to raise additional capital, limit its activities, or take other corrective measures to address the issues.

If a bank or savings institution insured by the FDIC fails, the FDIC will typically step in and assume control of the institution's assets and liabilities. The FDIC will work to sell the failed bank's assets and use the proceeds to pay off its creditors, including depositors up to the insured limit. In most cases, the FDIC is able to pay insured deposits quickly, usually within a few days of a bank failure. If the amount of insured deposits exceeds the amount of funds available in the deposit insurance fund, the FDIC has the authority to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to pay depositors.

Why was the FDIC created?

The FDIC was created in response to the banking crisis of the 1930s, which saw widespread bank failures and runs on banks. Here is a detailed timeline of events leading up to the creation of the FDIC:

• 1929: The stock market crash of 1929 marks the beginning of the Great Depression. As a result of the crash, many banks that had invested heavily in the stock market suffer significant losses.
• 1930: A wave of bank failures begins, as depositors lose confidence in the banking system and rush to withdraw their funds. In total, over 9,000 banks fail between 1930 and 1933.
• 1932: Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President of the United States, running on a platform that promises to address the banking crisis.
• 1933: Roosevelt is inaugurated in March, and in his first 100 days in office, he pushes through a series of legislative reforms known as the New Deal. One of the most important of these reforms is the Banking Act of 1933, which creates the FDIC.
• June 16, 1933: President Roosevelt signs the Banking Act of 1933 into law. The act establishes the FDIC as an independent agency of the federal government, with the mission of maintaining stability and public confidence in the banking system.
• January 1, 1934: The FDIC begins operations, insuring deposits at eligible banks up to $2,500 per depositor.
• 1935: The Banking Act of 1935 is passed, increasing the maximum amount of deposit insurance to $5,000 per depositor.
• 1950: The maximum amount of deposit insurance is increased again, to $10,000 per depositor.
• 1980s: The savings and loan crisis of the 1980s puts the FDIC under significant strain, as hundreds of savings and loan institutions fail. The FDIC responds by taking over failed institutions, selling off assets, and using the proceeds to pay off depositors.
• 2008-2009: The financial crisis of 2008-2009 leads to the failure of several large banks and puts the FDIC under significant stress. The agency responds by increasing the maximum amount of deposit insurance to $250,000 per depositor and taking other steps to stabilize the banking system.

Does the FDIC insure all banks?

No, the FDIC does not pinsure all banks. The FDIC provides deposit insurance coverage for banks and savings institutions that are insured by the FDIC. These are typically U.S. banks and savings institutions that are chartered by the federal government or state governments and are members of the FDIC. However, not all banks and savings institutions are FDIC-insured.

To be insured by the FDIC, a bank or savings institution must meet certain requirements and pay premiums to the FDIC for deposit insurance coverage. FDIC insurance covers deposits up to a certain amount, which is currently $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category.

It is important to note that the FDIC does not insure all types of financial products or services offered by banks or savings institutions. For example, FDIC insurance does not cover investments in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or annuities. Additionally, the FDIC does not insure deposits at credit unions or other types of financial institutions that are not FDIC-insured banks or savings institutions.

Is the FDIC part of the Federal Reserve?

While the FDIC and the Federal Reserve System (often referred to as the "Fed") are both U.S. government agencies involved in regulating and overseeing the financial industry, they are separate entities with distinct roles and responsibilities.

The purpose of the FDIC is to provide deposit insurance to protect depositors in case of bank failures, and ensuring the stability and public confidence in the banking system

The Federal Reserve System, on the other hand, is the central bank of the United States. It was created by Congress in 1913 to provide a stable and flexible monetary and financial system. The Fed is responsible for setting monetary policy, regulating banks and other financial institutions, and promoting the stability of the financial system as a whole.

While the FDIC and the Fed are both involved in overseeing the financial industry, they have distinct roles and responsibilities, and operate independently of each other.

Who is in charge of the FDIC?

The FDIC is run by a Board of Directors consisting of five members, who are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the operations of the FDIC, including setting policy and making important decisions related to deposit insurance, bank supervision, and resolution of failed banks.

The Board of Directors includes the FDIC Chairman, who is the agency's chief executive and is responsible for overall management of the FDIC. The other four members of the Board are appointed as follows: one by the President, one by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one by the Senate Majority Leader, and one by the Senate Minority Leader. No more than three members of the Board can be from the same political party.

Board members are appointed for six-year terms, with one term expiring every two years. However, the Chairman serves a five-year term that is separate from the six-year terms of the other Board members. The Chairman can be reappointed for additional terms by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Board members are chosen for their expertise in banking, finance, economics, or related fields, and are expected to have experience in public policy and management. They are also subject to strict ethical and conflict-of-interest rules to ensure that their decisions are impartial and in the best interests of the FDIC and the public.

What are the arguments againts the FDIC

While the FDIC is widely viewed as a critical component of the U.S. financial system, there are some arguments against its existence or certain aspects of its operations. Here are some of the common arguments against the FDIC:

• Moral Hazard: Some critics argue that the existence of deposit insurance provided by the FDIC creates a moral hazard, which incentivizes banks to take on excessive risk knowing that they are insured by the government. This, in turn, can lead to bank failures and ultimately costs to taxpayers.
• Distortion of Market Forces: Another criticism of the FDIC is that it distorts market forces and undermines market discipline by making it easier for banks to attract deposits and raise funds, regardless of their financial health or soundness.
• Cost to Taxpayers: The FDIC is funded by premiums paid by insured banks and savings institutions, but if there are widespread bank failures and the insurance fund is depleted, the FDIC can draw on taxpayer funds to cover any remaining losses. Some critics argue that this represents an unfair burden on taxpayers, who are effectively subsidizing the risky behavior of banks.
• Unintended Consequences: Some argue that the FDIC's efforts to promote financial stability may have unintended consequences, such as encouraging consolidation in the banking industry or creating a false sense of security among depositors.
• Regulatory Burden: Finally, some critics argue that the regulatory burden imposed by the FDIC on banks and savings institutions can be excessive, particularly for smaller institutions that may not have the resources to comply with all the requirements and regulations.

It is important to note that while there are valid criticisms of the FDIC, many experts believe that the benefits of deposit insurance and the FDIC's role in promoting financial stability outweigh these concerns.