Support our non-partisan non-profit newsroom 💜 Donate now

Acquire or be acquired may be the new reality for small and midsize banks

Mar 14, 2024
Many are struggling with high deposit rates and shaky commercial real estate portfolios. Some seek to bulk up as a solution.
First Republic failed and was absorbed by JPMorgan Chase. Due to pressures in the banking industry, some expect to see more consolidation.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A year after the banking crisis, many small businesses are less worried about their deposits

Feb 12, 2024
Business owners have taken steps to protect their cash since three regional banks failed last year.
Because the FDIC only insures deposits up to $250,000, some small business owners have  spread their cash across different banks after last year's crisis.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Who's on the hook for money the FDIC paid uninsured depositors?

May 12, 2023
The agency wants the country's largest banks to split the cost of refilling its coffers. But smaller banks aren't sure they're in the clear.
After stepping in to rescue depositors after recent bank failures, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. wants to replenish its insurance fund. Above, the agency's logo at a First Republic Bank branch.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
The FDIC released a report on Monday with suggestions on how to improve federal backstops on deposits, with an aim to preventing bank customers from withdrawing their money in a panic.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

For JPMorgan, loss sharing sweetened its deal to buy First Republic Bank

May 1, 2023
For one, help from the FDIC, which will absorb up to 80% of the losses coming from First Republic's residential and commercial loans.
The FDIC seized control of First Republic Bank over the weekend and auctioned it off.  JPMorgan won that auction, and it’s paying a cool $10.6 billion for it.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The history of “too big to fail”

Apr 13, 2023
In the wake of the Silicon Valley Bank debacle, the 1984 failure of Continental Illinois remains relevant.
The head offices of Bear Stearns, left, and JPMorgan Chase in New York in March 2008. After Bear went bust, JPM acquired its remains for a small sum.
Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images

Bank regulators face a grilling on Capitol Hill while calming markets and the public

Mar 27, 2023
Besides testifying in hearings, regulators need to get a few messages across, including that the system worked, a PR executive says.
"As far as the overall banking system is concerned, I do think that SVB was an outlier," said Anusha Chari, a professor at UNC Chapel Hill.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

How to get more than $250,000 covered by federal deposit insurance

From creating joint accounts to patronizing multiple banks, there are ways to maximize FDIC coverage, says economics contributor Chris Farrell.
Having too much money to be insured in one account is a good problem to have. Marketplace economics contributor Chris Farrell explains how to solve it.
John Moore/Getty Images

Peers not lining up to buy Silicon Valley Bank's problems. Neither are the giants.

Mar 15, 2023
SVB has a "$15 billion hole," says Semafor’s Liz Hoffman. Banks big enough to take on the challenge were initially not invited to bid.
"I don't think there's a lot of appetite for big-bank CEOs" to acquire the failed SVB, Semafor's Liz Hoffman says.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Federal bank regulators are getting most of the attention, but states oversee banks too

Mar 14, 2023
The feds didn’t take possession of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. That was up to state regulators in California and New York.
Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank were state chartered, which is why state regulators stepped in first.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images