The History of the FDIC (a 5-part series) Part 1
The vast majority of individuals are aware that their money in checking and savings accounts is protected by the FDIC; nevertheless, very few are aware of the organization’s history, functions, or the motivations for its founding. The crash of the stock market in 1929 was a direct cause of the establishment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in 1933. The FDIC is continually on the lookout for innovative new strategies to protect depositors in the event that a bank fails. The next paragraphs contain additional information regarding the federal organization as well as some of the accomplishments that it has attained.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS
- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was established to foster public confidence in the safety and soundness of the country’s financial system.
- Bank deposit accounts are covered by FDIC insurance, but credit union accounts are not.
- The FDIC not only looks after deposit accounts but also educates consumers, supervises banks and responds to consumer complaints.
- Deposits up to $250,000 per customer account are typically insured by the FDIC.
Annuities, life insurance, and mutual funds are not covered by FDIC insurance.
The Beginning of the FDIC
Beginning in the early 1930s, America’s financial markets were in ruins. The stock market crash of October 1929, which began the worst economic depression in modern history, caused financial chaos that led to the failure of more than 9,000 banks by March 1933.
In March 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress, saying:
“On March 3, banking operations in the United States ceased. To review at this time the causes of this failure of our banking system is unnecessary. Suffice it to say that the government has been compelled to step in for the protection of depositors and the business of the nation.”
Congress passed the Emergency Banking Act of 1933 to protect bank depositors. This is how the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) came to be. In order to stabilize the economy in the face of a failing banking system, the FDIC was established. The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 made the deposit insurance program that had been started in Massachusetts official. This is how the FDIC came to be. Checking and savings deposits up to a certain amount are guaranteed for its member banks.
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