Financial Stability
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.
![<p>The Panic - Run on the Fourth National Bank, No. 20 Nassau Street [New York City, 1873]. (Image LC-USZ6-952 via<a href="https://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3a00900/"> Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division</a>)<br></p>](/-/media/images/essays/financial-stability/financial-stability_720x450.jpg)
The Panic - Run on the Fourth National Bank, No. 20 Nassau Street [New York City, 1873]. (Image LC-USZ6-952 via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division)
Last updated October 12, 2023
Essays in This Theme
Asian Financial Crisis - A financial crisis started in Thailand in July 1997 and spread across East Asia
Bank Holiday of 1933 - For an entire week in March 1933, all banking transactions were suspended
Banking Act of 1932 - The Banking Act of 1932 reformed the Federal Reserve’s role providing credit during economic downturns.
Banking Act of 1933 - Commonly called Glass-Steagall, the Act was widely debated before its enactment
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
Banking Panics of 1931-33 - Earlier regional banking panics turned into a nationwide financial crisis in fall 1931
Banking Panics of the Gilded Age - The late 19th century was beset by panics
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
Emergency Banking Act of 1933 - The 1933 law was aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s financial 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"
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
Federal Reserve Credit Programs During the Meltdown - 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 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.
Latin American Debt Crisis - During the 1980s, many Latin American countries were unable to service their foreign debt
Near Failure of Long-Term Capital Management - A group of banks and brokerage firms prevented the collapse of this hedge fund in 1998
The Panic of 1907 - The story of the crash that inspired monetary reform
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.
Savings and Loan Crisis - The 1980s was a period of distress for the financial sector, especially savings and loans
Stock Market Crash of 1929 - On October 28, 1929, the Dow declined nearly 13 percent
Stock Market Crash of 1987 - The Dow dropped 22.6 percent on Black Monday, October 19, 1987
Subprime Mortgage Crisis - The 2007-10 crisis stemmed in part from an expansion of mortgages to high-risk borrowers
Support for Specific Institutions - The failures of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers and the bailout of AIG occurred in 2008
