Our nation’s federal deposit insurance system is critical to depositor confidence in the banking system, to the protection of small depositors, and to the funding base of community banks. A strong Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) is important to maintaining public confidence that the FDIC has adequate resources to protect the nation’s depositors.
ICBA commends the FDIC for remaining flexible during the pandemic and establishing a Deposit Insurance Fund Restoration Plan that provides until September 30, 2028 to restore the DIF reserve ratio to 1.35percent. This will allow deposits to return to pre-pandemic levels without increasing insurance assessments.
ICBA supported S. 2155 which ensures that reciprocal deposits are not considered brokered deposits under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
ICBA commends the FDIC for substantially mitigating the impact of SBA PPP lending on FDIC insurance assessments.
Deposit insurance has been the stabilizing force of our nation’s banking system for more than 85 years. It promotes public confidence by providing safe and secure depositories for small businesses and individuals alike.
Deposit Insurance Fund Restoration Plan. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act requires the FDIC to maintain a minimum reserve ratio for the DIF of 1.35 percent and to establish a Deposit Insurance Fund Restoration Plan if the reserve ratio falls below the statutory minimum.
Due to economic stimulus measures enacted in response to the pandemic, and elevated savings rates during this time, quarterly deposit growth rates outpaced deposit growth in the DIF causing the reserve ratio to decline below the required 1.35 percent minimum. ICBA commends the FDIC for establishing a Deposit Insurance Fund Restoration Plan that provides sufficient time and flexibility for the surge of insured deposits to recede and normalize without increasing community bank insurance assessments.
SBA Lending. ICBA commends the FDIC for substantially mitigating the impact of SBA PPP lending on FDIC insurance assessments. For instance, nearly every ratio that determines a small bank’s assessment rate excludes PPP loans because of the FDIC’s recent rule changes.
These ratios include: the net income before taxes to total assets ratio, the nonperforming loans and leases to gross assets ratio, the other real estate owned to gross assets ratio, the brokered deposit ratio, the one-year asset growth measure, and the loan mix index (LMI). Furthermore, the assessment base used to determine assessments excludes PPP loans.
Feb. 25, 2022
Washington, D.C. (Feb. 25, 2022) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today reminded consumers and community banking customers that their insured deposits are safe and backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).
The FDIC fully insures funds held in FDIC-insured community banks up to $250,000 per depositor and $250,000 per owner for certain retirement accounts.
“Community banks are stable and well-capitalized,” said ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey. “Community banking customers can continue to bank with confidence knowing their money is safe because it is insured by the FDIC. Since the FDIC was founded in 1933, no one has ever lost a penny of FDIC-insured funds.”
The FDIC insures deposits and protects depositors' funds in banks and savings associations. FDIC deposit insurance covers each depositor, dollar-for-dollar, up to the insurance limit, including principal and any accrued interest. Customers should look for an official FDIC sign at each teller window or teller station in their local community bank to know their institution is covered by FDIC insurance.
According to the FDIC, insurance covers all types of deposits received by a financial institution in its usual course of business, including savings and checking accounts, NOW accounts, money market deposit accounts, Christmas club accounts, and time deposits like certificates of deposit. Cashiers' checks, officers' checks, expense checks, loan disbursement checks, interest checks, outstanding drafts, negotiable instruments and money orders drawn on the institution are also protected by the FDIC.
“If you are having difficulties managing your finances, talk with your local community banker,” said Romero Rainey. “Community banks have been around for generations and have weathered many storms. We are here to serve our customers and communities for the long haul.”
The FDIC's Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator is an interactive application that can help you learn about deposit insurance and calculate the insurance coverage of your accounts. You can also check online to ensure your bank is FDIC-insured. For more information on community banks, visit www.icba.org. To find a local community bank, visit www.banklocally.org.
The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. ICBA is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and high-quality products and services.
With nearly 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute roughly 99 percent of all banks, employ nearly 700,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties. Holding nearly $5.9 trillion in assets, over $4.9 trillion in deposits, and more than $3.5 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.
# # #
| Title | Recipient | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Letter on FDIC Assessments | FDIC | 10/11/22 |
| Joint Letter on FDIC Assessments | FDIC | 10/11/22 |
| Joint Letter on FDIC Assessment Rate Increase | FDIC | 08/20/22 |
| Comments on Deposit Insurance Assessment Increase | FDIC | 08/20/22 |
| Comments on Deposit Insurance Simplification | FDIC | 10/04/21 |
| Misrepresentation of Insured Status and Misuse of the FDIC Name or Logo | FDIC | 07/09/21 |
| Comment Letter to the FDIC on Brokered Deposits | FDIC | 06/09/20 |
