Could the U.S. Do Like Cyprus and Seize Bank Deposits?
Cyprus' attempt to raid insured bank accounts has left a bad taste in the mouths of people around the world, and led some to ask: Could it ever happen here in America?
FDIC
FDIC: Banks Earn $141.3 Billion in 2012, Second-Highest Annual Haul Ever
Profits at U.S. banks jumped almost 37 percent for the October-December period, reaching the highest level for a fourth quarter in six years as banks continued to step up lending. The figures are fresh evidence of the industry's sustained recovery more than four years after the financial crisis.
If Another Big Bank Fails, Don't Expect International Cooperation
In another example of how far we haven't come since the financial crash, U.S. regulators are now warning banks they shouldn't presume regulators will work across borders if a too-big-to-fail institution finds itself about to fail.
Feds Order Discover to Refund $200 Million to Cardholders
Discover Bank is paying $214 million to settle charges that it pressured credit card customers to buy costly add-on services like payment protection and credit monitoring.
FDIC: Bank Earnings Hit Five-Year High in 2011
A surge in earnings by the biggest banks at the end of last year made 2011 the most profitable time for the industry in five years. More earnings and fewer troubled banks suggest the industry has healed since the 2008 financial crisis.
Why You Should Care
About the Volcker Rule
This week, the government took a big first step toward shutting down the Can't Lose Room in the Wall Street Casino. It's now one comment period away from enacting the Volcker Rule, which limits the kinds of risky investments banks can make with money insured by the U.S. taxpayer.
A Reader Asks: Is My Money Safe in the Bank?
More than 70 U.S. banks have failed this year, according to the FDIC. And one DailyFinance reader wants to know how safe is the money in our bank accounts? Laura Rowley responds.
Top Tips on Choosing the Right Bank for You
Picking a bank is a lot like selecting a new paint color for your kitchen. You're going to see a lot of it, and while you can always change your mind if you don't like the one you've chosen, it's a hassle. We asked the experts for advice on how to choose the one best suited to your needs.
Bank Bailouts Cost Much Less Than the FDIC Expected
Given the level of public outrage over the government's rescue of banks during the financial crisis, the final cost to the taxpayer of keeping those failed institutions afloat turns out to have been relatively modest: The FDIC has paid out a mere $8.89 billion to 165 banks since the crisis began.
Number of Troubled Banks Reach 18-Year High
The number of federally insured banks at risk of failing rose to 884 -- nearly 12% -- in the last quarter of 2010, reaching the highest level in 18 years.
FDIC Proposes Limits on Banker Pay
The federal government says excessive pay at financial institutions was one of the main causes of the recent economic crisis. It now wants to make sure bank executives and traders take less risk, by insisting they defer a large part of their compensation.
Expect More Banking Sector Takeovers in 2011
Two recent acquisitions by Canadian banks likely foretell that M&A activity among U.S. banks will only accelerate next year. Smaller banks that survived the financial crisis, but have few growth opportunities, are now attractive takeover targets.
FDIC Confirms Good News, Bad News for U.S. Banks
The financial headlines of the last several months have shown large banks making near-record profits, and small banks being closed at a pace of three or four per week. The FDIC has released its comprehensive report on the industry for the third quarter, and it confirms that fairly positive assessment.