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 Reserve Credit Programs During the Meltdown - The Fed introduced various credit programs to deal with the 2007-09 financial crisis
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
