Keypoints:
The banking crisis in the United States continues to escalate, as the Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, has made statements that have led to another drop in the stock prices of the First Republic Bank. Currently, after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the First Republic is among the banks that are in talks with its peers about potential rescue agreements.
Some banking groups have urged the US Congress to temporarily guarantee all of the country's bank deposits, a measure they say will prevent a deeper crisis following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
However, the outlook has now become bleaker after Yellen said in a hearing before the Subcommittee on Financial Services Appropriations of the US Senate that the government is "not considering insuring all uninsured bank deposits."
Regarding the government's actions to stop the crisis, Yellen explained that "the measures we took were not focused on helping specific banks or classes of banks. Our intervention was necessary to protect the overall US banking system."
"And similar actions may be justified if smaller institutions suffer massive deposit withdrawals that pose a contagion risk," added the American official.
The stock prices of the First Republic Bank, which has lost much of its value since the banking crisis began on March 8, fell 15.5% on Wednesday to close at $13.33.
This development is a significant blow to the First Republic Bank, which was already struggling to survive amidst the ongoing banking crisis. Yellen's statement has made it clear that the government is not going to provide a blanket guarantee for all bank deposits, which is something that many banks were hoping for to restore confidence among investors and depositors.
The fact that the First Republic Bank is in talks with its peers about potential rescue agreements highlights the extent of the problem. It also suggests that other banks may soon follow in their footsteps if the situation continues to deteriorate.
The situation is not entirely unexpected, given the magnitude of the crisis and the number of banks that have already failed. However, Yellen's statement has added to the uncertainty and volatility in the market, which is likely to continue until the government takes decisive action to address the crisis.
The banking crisis in the United States has been a wake-up call for the banking industry and policymakers alike. It has exposed weaknesses in the system that need to be addressed to prevent a similar crisis from occurring in the future.
One of the key lessons from the crisis is the need for greater transparency and accountability in the banking sector. Banks need to be more transparent about their operations and financial positions, and regulators need to be more proactive in identifying and addressing potential risks.
Another lesson is the need for better regulation and supervision of the banking sector. Regulators need to be more vigilant in monitoring banks and identifying potential problems before they become full-blown crises.
In the end, the banking crisis in the United States is a reminder that the financial system is not immune to shocks and disruptions. It highlights the need for continued vigilance and preparedness to ensure that the system remains stable and resilient in the face of future challenges.