A bank run is initiated when many depositors line up to withdraw cash from a bank, fearing that the bank will become insolvent. However, banks usually lend out most of the deposits they receive; they do not hold sufficient money to repay all the depositors simultaneously. The urgent demand for liquidity can even push healthy banks into trouble, giving rise to a self-fulfilling crisis.
Bank runs are motivated by panic and speculation rather than a bank's actual financial situation. Panic sets in quickly because people fear they will not be able to get to their money, particularly in today's digital world and social media, and thus huge amounts are withdrawn over a short period.
Advertisement
The Case Of Washington Mutual
The collapse of Washington Mutual (WaMu) in September 2008 was the largest bank failure in the history of the United States. In the nine days leading to the bank's failure, the bank faced a huge run, with customers taking out almost $16.7 billion in deposits, about 9 percent of deposits in total.
After panic mounted, the U.S. Office of Thrift Supervision on September 25, 2008, closed the bank and put it into receivership under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Within days, WaMu's banking subsidiaries were sold to JPMorgan Chase for $1.9 billion, and its branches were renamed as Chase.
Advertisement
Even though WaMu possessed great assets, the quick loss of depositor confidence was disastrous. The incident highlights the way great financial institutions can fall quickly whenever they suffer a sudden loss of the public's confidence.
India has never faced a situation such as a massive, widespread bank run, but during the Nirav Modi case regarding the Punjab National Bank scam, depositors rushed to the bank in anxiety. Even though this led to an increased withdrawal, but the bank was able to survive the shock, thanks to the efforts of the central bank.
How RBI Works To Prevent Bank Runs
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has several safeguards to reduce the risk of a bank run. One of the primary tools is regulatory supervision. Banks are subject to regular audits, stress testing, and compliance checks on asset quality, capital adequacy, and liquidity coverage. RBI's Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework identifies early signs of financial stress and restricts risky activities to ensure course correction.
Advertisement
Moreover, banks are required to hold a statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) and cash reserve ratio (CRR), statutory reserves that enhance their capacity to accommodate sudden withdrawal demands.
RBI owns the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) as a wholly owned subsidiary, and it insures every depositor's money up to Rs 5 lakh per bank. This is aimed at reassuring retail depositors. At times of worry, RBI tends to intervene with public assurances, liquidity support, or even coordinates mergers in order to stem the panic from spreading.
Technology And Communication Also Play A Role
Rumours, in today's fast-paced world dominated by information, can create fear even before facts arise. To prevent this, both commercial banks and the RBI increasingly turn to advanced communication via public statements and press releases.
Advertisement
Online facilities are also employed to provide continuous access to funds at times of distress, reducing the need for physical queues that may worsen the fear.
A Crisis Of Confidence
Eventually, a bank run has less to do with the bank's real cash holdings and more with public confidence. Through emphasis on supervision, liquidity buffers, insurance arrangements, and open communication, RBI plays a significant role in supporting systemic stability. Although no system can do away with risk entirely, these arrangements considerably lower the likelihood of systemic panic in the Indian banking system.
