Chapter 15: Problem 13

What is a bank run?

Short Answer

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A bank run occurs when a large number of customers simultaneously withdraw their deposits from a bank or financial institution due to concerns about its solvency. This can lead to the bank running out of cash and potentially collapsing. Banks take several measures to mitigate the risk of bank runs, such as maintaining liquid assets and seeking assistance from central banks or governments. Preventing bank runs is essential for maintaining the stability of the financial system, as they can lead to widespread panic, loss of confidence in the banking system, and significant economic losses.

Step by step solution

Definition of a Bank Run

A bank run occurs when a large number of customers of a bank or financial institution withdraw their deposits simultaneously due to concerns about the bank's solvency. As more people withdraw their funds, the probability of default increases, prompting more people to withdraw, which can ultimately lead to the bank running out of cash and potentially collapsing.

Historical Instance

A famous example of a bank run is the Great Depression in the United States during the 1930s. Due to the stock market crash in 1929 and widespread fear about the stability of the financial system, many people rushed to withdraw their savings from banks. This led to the collapse of numerous banks and the overall financial system, contributing to the severity of the economic depression that followed.

How Banks Handle Bank Runs

Banks and financial institutions take several measures to mitigate the risk of bank runs and ensure that they have sufficient liquidity to meet the demands of their customers. These measures include: 1. Maintaining a certain level of liquid assets, such as cash and government bonds, that can be quickly converted into cash to cover withdrawals. 2. Borrowing funds from other banks or financial institutions to meet short-term liquidity needs. 3. Seeking assistance from the central bank or government, which can provide emergency loans or deposit guarantees to help restore confidence in the banking system.

Importance of Preventing Bank Runs

Preventing bank runs is essential to maintaining the stability of the financial system. A bank run can lead to widespread panic, causing people to lose confidence in the banking system, and can ultimately result in the collapse of multiple banks, leading to significant losses for depositors, businesses, and the overall economy. Consequently, governments and central banks often take a proactive approach to prevent and manage the risk of bank runs, implementing deposit insurance schemes, providing emergency loans, and monitoring the solidity of financial institutions to ensure that they remain sound and stable.

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