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The 2023 bank collapses caught many by surprise, but the government's response was swift and decisive. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) took over the failed banks, ensuring depositors' funds were protected.
The FDIC's actions helped maintain financial stability, preventing a wider crisis. This was a crucial step in preventing a domino effect, where one bank's failure would lead to others.
The government also implemented measures to strengthen bank regulations, aiming to prevent similar collapses in the future.
Government Response
The U.S. government quickly responded to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, with President Biden reassuring Americans that their deposits are safe. The banking system is secure, and deposits will be there when needed.
Biden's announcement came after the U.S. government announced a plan to shore up the banking industry. The plan included strengthening the rules, which had been weakened during the Trump administration.
Representatives from both parties called for government intervention to protect uninsured depositors. A group of 599 venture capitalists, including Garry Tan and David O. Sacks, called for a government intervention to protect uninsured depositors.
Government Response
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The government has taken swift action to address the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. President Biden announced that customers of these banks will have full access to their deposits, even if they exceed the $250,000 federal insurance limit.
The FDIC has also announced that it will protect depositors without affecting taxpayers via the Bank Term Funding Program. This move has been praised by some, including Governor Newsom and Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.
Representatives Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Eric Swalwell of California have called for depositors to be made whole, while Representatives Ro Khanna and Brad Sherman of California have asked the Treasury Department and FDIC to affirm that depositors would be protected so they can make payroll.
Some lawmakers, including Senator J. D. Vance of Ohio, have questioned whether the federal government would have taken similar action for a smaller bank or credit union.
Here are some key points about the government's response:
- Biden says Americans can "rest assured" banking system is secure after SVB collapse
- Yellen rules out bailout for Silicon Valley Bank
The government's actions have been criticized by some, including Republican lawmakers and financial policy experts, who argue that it creates a moral hazard at other banks.
Legal Actions
The government is taking a closer look at Silicon Valley Bank's (SVB) actions. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors released a postmortem investigation on April 28, led by Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr, which focused on lax oversight of SVB during the tenure of Randal Quarles.
Several investigations have been opened into SVB's financial dealings. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. Department of Justice are reportedly looking into the bank's financial disclosures and executives' recent trading plans.
A class-action lawsuit was filed against SVB on March 13 by a shareholder in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit alleges fraud for false statements made by executives and the bank.
Lawmakers are also taking action. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts introduced legislation that would roll back some provisions of the EGRRCPA, cosponsored by about 50 Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Silicon Valley Bank Collapse
The Silicon Valley Bank collapse was a major event in the banking world. It happened just a few days ago, and it's still making waves.
The collapse was so severe that trading was halted for some regional banks, including Zions, Pacific West, and Western Alliance. More than a dozen regional banks had their trading halted after prices continued to fall.
Analysts at Bank of America expect regional bank stock volatility to remain challenging in the short run. This is because investors are recalibrating their risk-reward expectations.
Most regional lenders won't collapse like Silicon Valley Bank did because they have more diversified deposit bases.
Market Impact
The collapse of several banks in 2023 sent shockwaves through the financial industry, with far-reaching consequences for the economy and individual investors.
Silicon Valley Bank's collapse resulted in a $209 billion loss in market value, wiping out nearly 60% of its market capitalization in just one day.
The bank's demise also led to a 1.8% drop in the S&P 500 index on March 10, 2023, as investors scrambled to assess the impact of the collapse.
The collapse of Signature Bank and Silvergate Capital also had a significant impact on the crypto market, with prices plummeting as investors lost confidence in the stability of the banking system.
The combined collapse of these banks led to a 4.5% drop in the S&P 500 index over the course of two days, highlighting the interconnectedness of the financial system.
The failure of these banks also sparked concerns about the stability of the banking system as a whole, with many questioning whether regulators had done enough to prevent such a collapse.
Financial System
The financial system was severely impacted by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, with market capitalization of U.S. banks losing a combined $100 billion in two days and European banks losing $50 billion.
This loss highlights the challenge banks face as interest rates increase, reducing the market value of bonds they purchased under low-rate policies. Some companies transferred their deposits to larger commercial banks, raising concerns about further instability in the banking sector.
SVB's collapse was largely due to its specialization in serving a risky sector of the economy, and the bank's failure to fix deficiencies in its risk management procedures, which were identified by the Federal Reserve in 2021.
Losses
Losses are a natural part of the financial system.
The total value of losses in the financial system can be significant, with some estimates suggesting they can exceed 10% of total assets.
Many investors experience losses due to market volatility.
In fact, a study found that over 70% of investors have experienced losses in their investment portfolios.
Losses can also occur due to poor investment decisions.
For example, investing in a company that eventually goes bankrupt can result in significant losses.
Financial System
The market capitalization of U.S. banks lost a combined $100 billion in just two days following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. This highlights the challenge banks face as interest rate increases reduce the market value of bonds they purchased under low-rate policies.
European banks lost $50 billion. The losses of SVB have raised concerns about further instability in the banking sector.
Some companies have transferred their deposits out of regional banks like Silicon Valley Bank and into larger commercial banks, seeking safety. This has raised concerns about further instability in the banking sector.
Several banks, including First Republic Bank and Western Alliance Bancorporation, issued press releases to calm investors after the collapse of SVB. Despite these concerns, banking experts believe other banks will remain stable.
SVB was overly specialized in providing banking to a risky sector of the economy, and financial regulations have strengthened since the 2008 financial crisis. This suggests that other banks will be better equipped to handle similar challenges.
The Federal Reserve announced the creation of a Bank Term Funding Program to shore up liquidity for other at-risk banks following the collapse of SVB and Signature Bank. This move aims to prevent further instability in the banking sector.
Circle, a peer-to-peer payments technology company, had $3.3 billion of its cash reserves held at SVB. This is approximately 8% of its total cash reserves.
Shareholders
Silicon Valley Bank's holding company, SVB Financial Group, was a component of the S&P 500.
The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation were among its largest shareholders, owning the stock in large exchange traded funds that track the performance of S&P 500.
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The South Korean National Pension Service owned 100,000 shares in SVB's holding company, SVB Financial Group.
CalPERS, the California state pension fund, held about $67 million in bonds to the bank, which is less than two percent of one percent of its total investments, as of June 2022.
Shares of similar regional banks, including First Republic Bank, Western Alliance Bancorporation, and PacWest Bancorp, plummeted on March 13.
International Impact
The 2023 bank collapses had a significant international impact, with several countries feeling the effects.
In the United States, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank led to a $20 billion bailout from the Federal Reserve and the Department of the Treasury.
The collapse of Credit Suisse in Switzerland caused a ripple effect in the global financial markets, with the bank's stock price plummeting by over 30% in a single day.
The international community was shaken by the collapse of Credit Suisse, with many countries closely monitoring the situation.
The bank's collapse also raised concerns about the stability of the global financial system.
The collapse of several banks in the United States and Europe led to a loss of confidence in the banking system, causing many depositors to withdraw their funds.
This led to a shortage of liquidity in the banking system, making it difficult for banks to lend money to each other.
The international impact of the 2023 bank collapses will likely be felt for a long time, with many countries taking steps to strengthen their banking systems and prevent similar collapses in the future.
Insights and Analysis
In March 2023, the market cap of the 10 largest U.S. banks experienced a significant loss.
The market cap loss was substantial, with the 10 largest U.S. banks experiencing a decline in market value.
Public Reaction
The public reaction to the 2023 bank collapses was a mix of shock, concern, and calls for action.
Many people took to social media to express their outrage and frustration, with some demanding greater regulation of the banking industry.
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank was particularly shocking, with many customers expressing their trust in the bank on social media just days before it shut down.
Some experts predicted a potential run on other banks, causing a ripple effect of fear and uncertainty.
The public's reaction was not limited to social media, with many taking to the streets to protest and express their dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the crisis.
The collapse of Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank also sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for greater accountability and oversight of the banking industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are banks shutting down in 2023?
Yes, 2023 saw a significant number of bank closings in the US, the highest since the 2008 recession. Several factors contributed to this trend, including increased mobile banking use and economic challenges.
Will I lose my money if the banks collapse?
No, you're protected by FDIC or NCUA insurance, making bank failure extremely unlikely
Sources
- https://www.npr.org/2023/03/13/1163046482/watch-live-biden-discusses-the-silicon-valley-banks-meltdown-and-the-u-s-economy
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bank-stocks-down-us-bank-failure-svb-signature-2023-03-13/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse_of_Silicon_Valley_Bank
- https://www.bis.org/speeches/sp240926.htm
- https://www.statista.com/topics/10799/banking-crisis/
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