Isto do FDIC não são rosas.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was created after the bank runs and collapses of the Great Depression. The goal was to create consumer trust in the banking system. The Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s was the first major challenge to the system.
"The savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and 1990s (commonly dubbed the S&L crisis) was the failure of about 747 out of the 3,234 savings and loan associations in the United States. A savings and loan or "thrift" is a financial institution that accepts savings deposits and makes mortgage, car and other personal loans to individual members..." (Source)
The S&L crisis forced the FSLIC into insolvency and ultimately cost taxpayers 150 billion dollars. The Federal Budget in 1980 was 517 billion dollars. The S&L crisis was a leading cause of budget deficits thereafter. The crisis was caused by the following:
1. Tax Reform Act of 1986: This took away many of the tax shelter advantages of owning non-performing real-estate.
2. Deregulation and FSLIC: S&L's made even riskier loans, knowing that that risk would be covered by FSLIC.
3. Real Estate Collapse: This was caused by the Fed raising interest rates and the loss of tax shelters.
Interestingly enough these same factors came into play in 2008. The next major crisis of FDIC. Prior to the 2008 collapse and crisis, the FDIC had over 50 billion dollars on hand to cover a little over 4.29 trillion in deposits.
"As of June 2008, the DIF (Deposit Insurance Fund) had a balance of $45.2 billion. However, 9 months later, in March, 2009, the DIF fell to $13 billion. That was the lowest total since September, 1993 and represented a reserve ratio of 0.27% of its exposure to insured deposits totaling about $4.83 trillion. In the second quarter of 2009, the FDIC imposed an emergency fee aimed at raising $5.6 billion to replenish the DIF. However, Saxo Bank Research reported that, after Aug 7, further bank failures had reduced the DIF balance to $648.1 million." (Source)
The "crisis" was caused by the Federal Reserve raising interest rates and tightening credit guidelines. This caused the real-estate market to collapse and resulted in bank assets tied to real estate, turning into liabilities. Higher rates led to Variable rate mortgages readjusting and subprime mortgages turned to virtual junk bonds. It was the S&L crisis on steroids.
Hedge Funds, like Romney's Bain Capital fueled the subprime crisis by making high risk loans and profitted in the futures market by betting against the dollar and on higher interest rates when those loans turned to junk. They also created the derivatives market, by selling futures and options against the very risks they created. Hedge funds have no regulatory requirements.
"Initially the companies affected were those directly involved in home construction and mortgage lending such as Northern Rock and Countrywide Financial, as they could no longer obtain financing through the credit markets. Over 100 mortgage lenders went bankrupt during 2007 and 2008. Concerns that investment bank Bear Stearns would collapse in March 2008 resulted in its fire-sale to JP Morgan Chase. The financial institution crisis hit its peak in September and October 2008. Several major institutions either failed, were acquired under duress, or were subject to government takeover. These included Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Washington Mutual, Wachovia, Citigroup, and AIG." (Source)
The 2008 mortgage and housing collapse has cost US taxpayers trillions of dollars, with no end in sight. Banks still haven't cleared their books of many non-performing loans because they fear taking the write-down. This means that the biggest wave of foreclosures is yet to come. It also means the collapse of many major and minor banking institutions. Perhaps, the entire banking system. Including FDIC.
"To receive this benefit (Fed Deposit Insurance), member banks must follow certain liquidity and reserve requirements. Banks are classified into five groups according to their risk-based capital ratio:
• Well capitalized: 10% or higher
• Adequately capitalized: 8% or higher
• Undercapitalized: less than 8%
• Significantly undercapitalized: less than 6%
• Critically undercapitalized: less than 2%
When a bank becomes undercapitalized the FDIC issues a warning to the bank. When the number drops below 6% the FDIC can change management and force the bank to take other corrective action. When the bank becomes critically undercapitalized the FDIC declares the bank insolvent and can take over management of the bank." (Source)
In other words, it won't take much to push the entire system over the edge. A simple 5% reduction in a banks capitalization ratio, brought about by a stock market correction, derivatives exposure or non-performing mortgages will push it into the abyss.
Which brings us back to precious metals as the safest investment at this time. Silver will respond positively to crisis, inflation and correction. Unlike stocks, bonds, 401Ks, savings accounts and insurance policies. It remains the best place for mid-term and long-term savings.
http://moneyteachers.org/FDIC.html
