The Federal Reserve monitors financial system risks and engages at home and abroad to help ensure the system supports a healthy economy for U.S. households, communities, and businesses.
Support for Specific Institutions
The failures of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers and the bailout of AIG occurred in 2008
Fed Credit Programs
The Fed introduced various credit programs to deal with the 2007-09 financial crisis
The Federal Reserve's Response to the September 11 Terrorist Attacks
The 9/11 attacks created massive dislocations in US financial markets. The Fed played a leading role in responding to the immediate crisis, using the wide range of its authorities to limit the economic fallout and support the US financial system.
Near Failure of LTCM
A group of banks and brokerage firms prevented the collapse of this hedge fund in 1998
Asian Financial Crisis
A financial crisis started in Thailand in July 1997 and spread across East Asia
Crash of 1987
The Dow dropped 22.6 percent on Black Monday, October 19, 1987
Continental Illinois: A Bank That Was Too Big to Fail
The phrase “too big to fail” became commonly used for the first time after Continental’s crisis
Latin American Debt Crisis
During the 1980s, many Latin American countries were unable to service their foreign debt
Savings and Loan Crisis
The 1980s was a period of distress for the financial sector, especially savings and loans
Banking Act of 1933
Commonly called Glass-Steagall, the Act was widely debated before its enactment
Emergency Banking Act
The 1933 law was aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s financial system
Bank Holiday of 1933
For an entire week in March 1933, all banking transactions were suspended
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
The Federal Home Loan Banks were established to advance funds to home mortgage lenders that historically did not have access to the Federal Reserve System.
Emergency Lending to Nonbank Borrowers
The Emergency Relief and Construction Act of 1932 expanded the Fed's ability to make certain loans under "unusual and exigent circumstances."
Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act
During the years 1932 and 1933, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation effectively served as the discount lending arm of the Federal Reserve Board.
Banking Panics of 1931-33
Earlier regional banking panics turned into a nationwide financial crisis in fall 1931
Banking Panics of 1930-31
The U.S. appeared to be poised for economic recovery when a series of bank panics began in fall 1930
Crash of 1929
On October 28, 1929, the Dow declined nearly 13 percent
Panic of 1907
The story of the crash that inspired monetary reform
Banking Panics of the Gilded Age
The late 19th century was beset by panics