Bank Seizure Q&A
Why did the government seize IndyMac's assets?
What happens when the government takes over a bank?
Is my bank at risk?
How can I make sure my money is safe?
How much money does the FDIC have?
How big does FDIC like to keep its deposit insurance fund?
Do banks have to pay into the deposit insurance fund?
Does the government's decision to aide Fannie Mae and Freddie
 How big does FDIC like to keep its deposit insurance fund?
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The FDIC board of directors has set a Designated Reserve Ratio of 1.25 percent. That means their "target" balance for the fund is 1.25 percent of estimated insured deposits.

As of March 31, the fund was $52.843 billion and insured deposits were $4.431 trillion, which resulted in a reserve ratio of 1.19 percent, 0.06 percentage point below the Board's target.

If the fund falls below 1.15 percent of estimated insured deposits, the FDIC is required by law to adopt a restoration plan that will bring the reserve ratio back to 1.15 percent within five years.