Bank Failures Explained

Trust is the backbone of banking, as highlighted by the fact that nearly all bank failures in the last decade have seen depositors protected. SVB's unique vulnerability stemmed from poor risk management, with a significant portion of its assets tied up in long-term securities at a time of rising interest rates. The lack of clear communication during a critical moment led to panic and a classic bank run, demonstrating how interconnectedness among depositors can escalate a crisis.