Editor's Note: On Oct. 3, 2008, Congress raised the FDIC and NCUA insurance amount to $250,000. This change has been extended to Dec. 31, 2013.

The news of banks failing has consumers rattled. They're asking: "What will happen to my CD?" And if they didn't have accounts at these banks, they're asking: "Is my bank safe?"

This special section explains the role of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in protecting deposits at banking institutions, how the FDIC handles bank failures and how you can check up on your bank.