How to Check Your Bank's Financial Health: How Prepared Is Your Local Bank for Risk? (2024)

Like most people with savings, you likely have some money deposited in a bank account. After yet another set of problems with banks and insolvency gets dealt with, I know how important it is for you to keep your money safe. One of the best ways to do this is by choosing a bank that's financially healthy and prepared for risk.

But how can you tell if your bank is up to par?

There are a few key indicators you can look for when checking your bank's financial health. First, check to see if your bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This means that your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per account in case your bank goes out of business. If your bank is not FDIC-insured, consider switching to one that is.

Another important indicator is your bank's capital ratio. A bank's capital ratio refers to the percentage of its capital compared to its risk-weighted assets. This helps indicate how much money the bank has on hand to cover potential losses. Banks must keep a certain amount of capital available in case of unexpected losses. A higher capital ratio means your bank is better prepared to weather a financial storm. You can usually find your bank's capital ratio on its website or by contacting customer service.

Consider looking at your bank's loan portfolio. A well-diversified loan portfolio can indicate that your bank is financially healthy and can manage risk effectively. When you put your money in a bank, the bank uses that money to make loans to other people and businesses. A loan portfolio is a collection of all the loans a bank has made. It's essential to review a bank's loan portfolio because the loans that a bank makes determine its profitability and ability to manage risk.

A well-diversified loan portfolio is made up of many different types of loans to a variety of borrowers. This means that the bank is putting only some of its eggs in one basket, so to speak. A diversified portfolio can help protect the bank from losses if one type of loan or borrower performs poorly.

It would help if you also looked at your bank's credit rating. Credit rating agencies like Moody's and Standard & Poor's rate banks based on their financial strength and ability to repay debts. A higher rating means your bank is less likely to fail or default on its loans. You can check your bank's credit rating on the agency's website or by contacting your bank directly.

Finally, keeping an eye on your bank's financial statements is always a good idea. Banks must publish quarterly and annual reports that provide detailed information on their financial health. These reports can be found on your bank's website or by contacting customer service. Look for trends in the bank's earnings, assets, and liabilities. Compare them to industry benchmarks to understand how your bank is doing.

Remember, keeping your money safe is your top priority as a depositor. By checking your bank's financial health, you can ensure that your deposits are protected and that your bank is prepared to weather any economic storm.

I hope this has been helpful, feel welcome to contact me with feedback, questions or suggestions. Also if you want to learn more about alternative ways to save with tax smart benefits, feel welcome to contact me.

The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be considered as professional advice. As banking and financial regulations and practices vary by country, region, and institution, readers should seek professional advice from qualified experts regarding their financial needs and circ*mstances. The author and publisher of this blog post make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this blog post for any purpose. Any reliance on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will the author and publisher be liable for any loss or damage, including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this blog post.