FDIC's Warning to Banks: Do Not Mislead Customers with Uninsured Deposits
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp warned U.S. banks on Monday, cautioning them against taking liberties with their deposit numbers after the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse. An analysis by The Wall Street Journal revealed that 47 banks had restated their Dec. 31 uninsured-deposit figures downward by a staggering $198 billion since Silicon Valley Bank's demise in March. At its collapse, 88% of Silicon Valley Bank's deposits were uninsured. Several banks tried to include government-held accounts, which exceeded the standard FDIC insurance limit, as insured deposits by backing them with collateral. However, the FDIC clarified that only deposits insured directly by the agency could be classified as insured deposits. Experts have raised concerns over the risks posed to corporate depositors by banks with significant uninsured deposits. The FDIC's warning concerns banks manipulating deposit numbers to minimize their special assessment obligations.