Follow Us:
 
Bankrate.com
Bankrate Mobile Site

checking

What to expect from your failed bank

What if my bank fails?
Next
1 of 7
text

More than 150 American banks have failed this year as of Dec. 17, and more bank failures are expected as the financial crisis continues. But the government's takeover of a failed bank has been a standard operating procedure for some time.

"History is pretty clear," says Gary Evans, president and CEO of Palm Desert National Bank in Palm Desert, Calif. "Insured accounts are either paid out soon after a bank closes or the account is assumed by a purchasing bank. The FDIC website states that no insured account has ever lost money."

Even though the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., or FDIC, has developed a well-oiled process for taking over failed banks, the news of such a takeover can be disconcerting to the bank's customers. A failed bank doesn't mean your money is lost. But what can you expect?


 

 

advertisement

Compare Checking Rates



advertisement
Bankrate on Facebook
Don Taylorsavings
Sort out the advantages and disadvantages of stashing your cash in CDs vs. a savings account.
advertisement
Some members of Congress are aiming to remove the voices of banking executives from the conversation at the Federal Reserve.
Is your money safe?
or ? See your bank, thrift or credit union's star rating. Find one that's safe enough for you.
Partner Center
advertisement
Sign up for Bankrate's CD rate alerts!

Rather watch TV than CD rates?

We'll notify you when rates hit your target.

RSS icon
Subscribe:RSS Feeds