Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent federal agency created by the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. The vast number of bank failures in the Great Depression spurred the United States Congress into creating an institution which would guarantee banks, inspired by the success the Commonwealth of Massachusetts experienced with Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF). The FDIC currently guarantees checking and savings deposits in member banks up to $100,000 per depositor.

Insurance requirements

In order to receive this benefit member banks must follow certain liquidity and reserve requirements. Banks are classified in 5 groups according to their risk-based capital ratio:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Well capitalized: 10% or higher
• Adequately capitalized: 8% or higher
• Undercapitalized: less than 8%
• Significantly undercapitalized: less than 6%
• Critically undercapitalized: less than 2%

When a bank becomes undercapitalized the FDIC issues a warning to the bank. When the number drops below 6% the FDIC can change management and force the bank to take other corrective action. When the bank becomes critically undercapitalized the FDIC declares the bank insolvent.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~