Emergency Banking Relief Act

Why was the Emergency Banking Relief Act passed? The law was passed as the first of FDR's series of New Deal Programs to stabilize and regulate the banking system

When was the Emergency Banking Relief Act passed? The date the Emergency Banking Relief Act (EBA) was passed on March 9, 1933, three days after FDR declared a nationwide bank holiday

What was the National Bank Holiday? FDR declared a National Bank Holiday and temporarily closed all the banks from March 6, 1933 until March 13, 1933 when the banks re-opened.

Emergency Banking Relief Act Facts for kids
The following fact sheet contains interesting facts and information on the purpose, effects and significance of the Emergency Banking Relief Act as part of FDR's New Deal to combat the effects of the Great Depression.

Facts about the Emergency Banking Relief Act for kids

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 1: The banking crisis had led to the closure of thousands of banks. Many people had lost their life savings and the banks were seen as so unsafe that people were hoarding their money at home

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 2: FDR became president on March 4, 1933 and knew that the first thing he had to do was restore the Nation's confidence in the banking system.

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 3: He appointed William H. Woodin as Secretary of State and took the dramatic decision to temporarily close all the banks. The action was referred to as the 'Nationwide Bank Holiday' - but it was imperative that the banks were opened as quickly as possible .

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 4: At 1:00 a.m. on Monday, March 6,1933 President Roosevelt issued a proclamation ordering the suspension of all banking transactions. No banks were permitted to pay out or permit the withdrawal or transfer of any form of currency, make loans or discounts or deal in foreign exchange.

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 5: During the period of temporary closure of the banks a way had to be found to prevent any reopened banks from failing. FDR had tasked Secretary of State Woodin to prepare an emergency banking bill in just five days that could be presented to the special session of Congress on March 9, 1933.

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 6: Provisions: The provisions of the Emergency Banking Relief Act were as follows:

● Provision I formally legalized FDR's decision to declare a National Bank Holiday

● Provision II addressed the evaluation and reorganization of the closed banks permitting the appointment of a Conservator with the powers of receivership over all national banks allowing for the orderly liquidation of banks that could not be saved and the reorganization of those that could

● Provision III authorized the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC), an independent agency of the US government, to provide investment in troubled banks, by purchasing the stock of banks to relieve them of short term debts provide them with long term investment funds

● Provision IV allowed new Federal Reserve bank notes to be issued to address the currency shortage that was due to people hoarding their money at home

● Provision V appropriated $2 million to implement the Emergency Banking Relief Act

Facts about the Emergency Banking Relief Act for kids

Facts about the Emergency Banking Relief Act for kids
The following fact sheet continues with facts about Emergency Banking Relief Act.

Facts about the Emergency Banking Relief Act for kids

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 7: The Federal Reserve Banks sent the Treasury lists of banks recommended for reopening, and the Treasury licensed those it approved. This was accomplished by a phased approach in which:

● Stage 1 first allowed all solvent banks (Class A banks) to reopen

● Stage 2 addressed Class B banks which were weaker banks, but thought to be capable of reopening after an indefinite period of reorganization

● Stage 3 addressed Class C banks. These were insolvent banks that would not be allowed to reopen. (4000 banks fell into this category)

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 8: The special session of Congress convened on March 9, 1933. The House of Representatives passed the Act unanimously after only 38 minutes of debate. The Senate approved the bill and President Franklin Roosevelt signed the new law the same evening.

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 9: The provisions of the Act enabled FDR to encourage the Federal Reserve to create de facto 100% deposit insurance in the reopened banks that provided some assurance to the people that their money would be safe

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 10: FDR explained the provisions of the EBA to the American people in his first radio Fireside Chat on March 12, 1933 that helped to restore the nation's confidence in the banking system. 

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 11: Over 60 million Americans tuned into the radio and listened to their president. He said "I assure you that it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than under the mattress"

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 12: Effects of the law: The effects of the law were immediate. The banks re-opened on March 13, 1933, the day after FDR's radio speech (Fireside Chat) and bank deposits far outweighed the bank withdrawals.

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 13: Effects of the law: The legislation of the 1933 Emergency Banking Relief Act and the actions of FDR resulted in the end of the Banking Crisis.

Emergency Banking Relief Act Fact 14: The 1933 Emergency Banking Relief Act was largely replaced later in 1933 by the Banking Act of 1933, aka the Glass-Steagal Act

Facts about the Emergency Banking Relief Act for kids

Emergency Banking Relief Act - President Franklin Roosevelt Video
The article on the Emergency Banking Relief Act provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following Franklin Roosevelt video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 32nd American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1933 to April 12, 1945.

Emergency Banking Relief Act

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