Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (2024)

With 4,614 banks of all sizes, the U.S. has one of the deepest and most diverse banking systems in the world. The wide range of banks serving communities across the country continues to be a source of strength for our economy. Each bank has its own unique approach, capabilities, and strengths. Together, America's banks provide the fuel that drives the U.S. economy forward.

Banks of All Sizes Make Loans That Drive America's Economy

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (1)

Total Deposits by Bank Type

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (2)

The U.S. banking marketplace is also highly competitive with community, midsize, regional and global systemically important banks (GSIBs)all vying for individual and business customers. See the many ways banks of all sizes serve their customers and communities.

ABA President & CEO Rob Nichols joins Yahoo! Finance to discuss the health of the banking sector and ABA's letter urging the SEC to investigate manipulative short selling of bank stocks.

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (7)

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Rob Nichols Emphasizes Strength of America's Banks

Overall Industry Remains Healthy and Strong

As the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile shows, the banking sector remains strong amid continued economic uncertainty. Below are charts that detail key indicators of the industry’s health.


Capital Levels (as of Q3):

Capital levels, one of the best ways to gauge bank health, are strong, with the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and Total risk-based capital ratio both more than 70 basis points above pre-pandemic levels (14.02% and 15.36%, respectively). The industry leverage ratio increased for the sixth consecutive quarter in Q3 2023, reaching 9.26% (+40 basis points year-over-year), and total bank equity capital remains 6.2% higher than its pre-pandemic level.

Industry Capital Ratios Remain Strong

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (8)

Source: FDIC


Liquidity (as of Q3)

Aggregate loan-to-deposit ratios, one of the tools to measure bank liquidity, remain low at 65.39%, still 6.1 percentage points below pre-pandemic levels.

Loan to Deposit Ratio Remains Historically Low

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (9)

Source: FDIC

Deposit Levels (as of Jan 2024):

Banks saw a record flood of deposits during the pandemic as Americans moved their funds to the safety of banks. It’s not surprising that in the post pandemic period, deposits have returned to more normal levels. These charts show the history and recent trends in deposit flows.

Deposits Back to Long Run Trend

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (10)

Source: FDIC

Deposits Held at Domestic Banks

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (11)

Source: FDIC

Safe & Sound: America's Banks Remain Strong and Resilient (2024)

FAQs

How safe are US banks right now? ›

Most banks are covered by FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per account, and credit unions are usually covered by NCUA insurance for the same amount.

What does safety and soundness mean in banking? ›

The rating indicates whether the institution is sound enough to withstand fluctuations in the economy or whether it has weaknesses that require correction. Between examinations, Reserve Banks monitor financial institutions by examining bank reports filed with the Fed.

What is the most secure bank in America? ›

Safest Banks in the U.S.
  • CITIBANK. ...
  • WELLS FARGO. ...
  • CAPITAL ONE. ...
  • M&T BANK CORPORATION. ...
  • AGRIBANK. ...
  • COBANK. ...
  • AGFIRST. ...
  • FARM CREDIT BANK OF TEXAS. Farm Credit Bank of Texas is the fourth member of the U.S. Farm Credit System, providing wholesale lending and business services in states like Texas, Alabama, and New Mexico.
Feb 13, 2024

Is the US banking system strong? ›

The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient, with strong levels of capital and liquidity.

Which banks are most at risk? ›

11 banks with negative outlooks
  • PNC Financial Services Group.
  • Capital One Financial Corporation.
  • Citizens Financial Group.
  • Fifth Third Bancorp.
  • Huntington Bancshares.
  • Regions Financial Corporation.
  • Cadence Bank.
  • F.N.B. Corporation.
Aug 9, 2023

How stable are US banks? ›

The recent rise in interest rates by the Federal Reserve has increased the fragility of the U.S. banking system to the point that a substantial number of institutions are at risk of failing should there be a run on these banks by uninsured depositors.

What are the 9 types of risk in banking? ›

The OCC has defined nine categories of risk for bank supervision purposes. These risks are: Credit, Interest Rate, Liquidity, Price, Foreign Exchange, Transaction, Compliance, Strategic and Reputation. These categories are not mutually exclusive; any product or service may expose the bank to multiple risks.

What are the bank strength ratings? ›

Bank ratings are generally between 1 and 5 – with 1 being the best and 5 being the worst. Bank ratings are computed using the CAMELS rating system, a globally recognized rating system that measures the financial soundness of financial institutions based on six factors.

Which agency ensures a safe and sound national banking system? ›

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is an independent bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The OCC charters, regulates, and supervises all national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks.

Which bank is least likely to go bust? ›

  • JPMorgan Chase (JPM) Chase Bank logo and storefront. ...
  • Bank of America (BAC) bank of America stock BAC stock. ...
  • Wells Fargo (WFC) Finger pointing at the word "banking" ...
  • HSBC Holdings (HSBC) HSBC logo on corporate building. ...
  • Royal Bank of Canada (RY) ...
  • HDFC Bank (HDB) ...
  • Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD)
Mar 27, 2023

What is the most honest bank in the US? ›

Following one of the most successful years in United's long history, United Bank has been named the Most Trustworthy Bank in America by Newsweek for 2023.

Is Bank of America at risk of failure? ›

Based on the analysis of Bank of America's financial health, risk profile, and regulatory compliance, we can conclude that the bank is relatively safe from any trouble or collapse. The bank's financial performance has been stable, and its balance sheet shows a healthy level of capital and a diversified loan portfolio.

What bank collapsed in 2024? ›

WASHINGTON (TND) — The U.S. had its first bank failure of 2024 with federal regulators seizing control of Pennsylvania-based Republic First over the weekend, which comes a year after a string of larger regional banks collapsed in spectacular fashion and fueled fears of a run on deposits and shook faith in the financial ...

How many US banks are in danger? ›

A report posted on the Social Science Research Network found that 186 banks in the United States are at risk of failure or collapse due to rising interest rates and a high proportion of uninsured deposits.

What is the biggest bank failure in the US? ›

The largest bank failure ever occurred when Washington Mutual Bank went under in 2008. At the time, it had about $307 billion in assets. During the uncertainty of the banking crisis, however, Washington Mutual experienced a bank run where customers withdrew almost $17 billion in assets in less than 10 days.

Are US banks at risk? ›

Other banks in the country could be at risk of failure as unrealized securities losses reached $478 billion, the most recently available data shows. Already, 40 banks with more than $1 billion in assets reported unrealized security losses greater than 50% of their equity capital.

Should I pull all my money out of the bank? ›

Do I have to worry about cash stored in my bank? In short, if you have less than $250,000 in your account at an FDIC-insured US bank, then you almost certainly have nothing to worry about.

Can the government take money from your bank account during a recession? ›

Your money is safe in a bank, even during an economic decline like a recession. Up to $250,000 per depositor, per account ownership category, is protected by the FDIC or NCUA at a federally insured financial institution.

Are more US banks at risk? ›

Consulting firm Klaros Group analyzed about 4,000 U.S. banks and found 282 banks face the dual threat of commercial real estate loans and potential losses tied to higher interest rates. The majority of those banks are smaller lenders with less than $10 billion in assets.

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