bank failures

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.

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.

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.

The number of government-aided U.S. banks in danger of failing has grown about 15% in the past six months, The Wall Street Journal has reported. The economy has continued to batter many struggling institutions, with 98 bailed-out banks -- up from 86 in the second quarter -- now at risk.

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.

Nouriel Roubini, the renowned NYU economics professor with the nickname "Dr. Doom," has offered up another dire prediction: Even if the U.S. and Europe manage to avoid a double-dip recession, more than 400 U.S. banks will likely fail.

The FDIC says the number of troubled financial institutions is increasing, but the number of loans 90 days or more past-due has declined for the first time in four years. "This is the best quarterly profit for the banking sector in almost three years."

Over the weekend, the FDIC announced the seizure of seven banks, bringing the 2010 tally to 103. It's very possible that 2010 failures could surpass 2009, but the forecast improves starting in 2011.

Regulators have closed the Washington First International Bank in Seattle, bringing to 82 the number of U.S. bank failures this year.

The U.K.'s Financial Services Authority slapped JP Morgan Securities with a hefty fine Thursday after it was revealed that the bank had co-mingled customers' futures and options account funds with its own money for seven years.