It hurts when politicians slam bank managers for the bank failures

Every generation needs a revolution - an entrepreneurial revolution

Some politicians (senators) probably slam the bank execs for the failure closure of the banks

But the outbursts which probably get more  votes are unfair.  No super manager can beat the situation

or would have figured out way of squeeze between low yield treasures, (as assets) and high cost 

deposits due to Fed action to increase interest rates.   Time is not on the  side of the bankers.

That is why the regulators cant do a thing.   

Take note that PDIC is undercapitalized to handle further stresses of the banking system.   JP Morgan is the only entity that can even probably save the FED.  

Will bank faiure contagion spread in US and elsewhere in the world

Every generation needs a revolution - an entrepreneurial revolution

In March alone there at least 2 bank failures with at least $100 billion in assets:  Silicon Valley  ($300b) and Signature Bank ($100B)

What is interesting to note is that SVB failed despite being liquid.   The trouble was with investment decisions.   Since it could not lend out its huge liquidty on hand, it invested in long term bonds (govt and private)  at 1.5%  The culprit was the high interest rate imposed by Fed whose recent rate was up to 4.75%.  It is possible that the  rates can go up further

Now there is inverse relationship between bond prices and interest rates.   High interest rates depresses long term bond prices   Investopedia - inverse relationship between bond prices and interest rates

Now the prices of bonds held by SVB declined in prices and therefore the bank incurred losses, depressing its stock prices.  This worried the  depositors who went into a bank run  SVB had to sell its bonds at fire sale further worsening its PNL

"Bonds have an inverse relationship to interest rates. When the cost of borrowing money rises (when interest rates rise), bond prices usually fall, and vice-versa.

At first glance, the negative correlation between interest rates and bond prices seems somewhat illogical. However, upon closer examination, it actually begins to make good sense.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Most bonds pay a fixed interest rate that becomes more attractive if interest rates fall, driving up demand and the price of the bond.
• Conversely, if interest rates rise, investors will no longer prefer the lower fixed interest rate paid by a bond, resulting in a decline in its price.
• Zero-coupon bonds provide a clear example of how this mechanism works in practice

It is possible in the country financia institutions like banks insurance companies, pre need companies and other banks have this dire situation.   And may have incurred paper losses further exacerbated by low investment rates and inflation

There is no substitute for good decision and wise management 

Computing for bond prices

Bank	City	State	Year	Assets at time of failure (nominal)	Assets at time of failure (inflation-adjusted, 2021)	Ref.
Washington Mutual	Seattle	Washington	2008	$307 billion	$386 billion	[3]
Silicon Valley Bank	Santa Clara	California	2023	$209 billion	$209 billion	[4]
Signature Bank	New York	New York	2023	$118 billion	$118 billion	[5]
Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust	Chicago	Illinois	1984	$40.0 billion	$104 billion	[3][6]
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