Title 12Banks and BankingRelease 119-73

§371b–2 Interbank liabilities

Title 12 › Chapter CHAPTER 3— - FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER X— - POWERS AND DUTIES OF MEMBER BANKS › § 371b–2

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Limits the danger that one big bank failing could hurt other insured banks. The Federal Reserve Board must write rules to keep any insured bank from having too much financial risk tied to another depository institution. The Board can create exceptions if they help the public and fit the goal. The Board can also make any extra rules or definitions needed, and the proper federal banking agency will enforce them. Exposure: a bank’s money or credit connections to another bank, such as deposits, repurchase deals, guarantees or letters of credit, investments in that bank’s securities, collateral taken from that bank, and similar transactions. Insured depository institution: the meaning given in section 1813.

Full Legal Text

Title 12, §371b–2

Banks and Banking — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The purpose of this section is to limit the risks that the failure of a large depository institution (whether or not that institution is an insured depository institution) would pose to insured depository institutions.
(b)The Board shall, by regulation or order, prescribe standards that have the effect of limiting the risks posed by an insured depository institution’s exposure to any other depository institution.
(c)(1)For purposes of subsection (b), an insured depository institution’s “exposure” to another depository institution means—
(A)all extensions of credit to the other depository institution, regardless of name or description, including—
(i)all deposits at the other depository institution;
(ii)all purchases of securities or other assets from the other depository institution subject to an agreement to repurchase; and
(iii)all guarantees, acceptances, or letters of credit (including endorsements or standby letters of credit) on behalf of the other depository institution;
(B)all purchases of or investments in securities issued by the other depository institution;
(C)all securities issued by the other depository institution accepted as collateral for an extension of credit to any person; and
(D)all similar transactions that the Board by regulation determines to be exposure for purposes of this section.
(2)The Board may, at its discretion, by regulation or order, exempt transactions from the definition of “exposure” if it finds the exemptions to be in the public interest and consistent with the purpose of this section.
(3)For purposes of this section, any transaction by an insured depository institution with any person is a transaction with another depository institution to the extent that the proceeds of the transaction are used for the benefit of, or transferred to, that other depository institution.
(d)For purposes of this section, the term “insured depository institution” has the same meaning as in section 1813 of this title.
(e)The Board may issue such regulations and orders, including definitions consistent with this section, as may be necessary to administer and carry out the purpose of this section. The appropriate Federal banking agency shall enforce compliance with those regulations under section 1818 of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 102–242, title III, § 308(c), Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2363, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [enacting this section] shall become effective 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1991].”

Regulations

Pub. L. 102–242, title III, § 308(b), Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2362, provided that: “The Board shall prescribe reasonable transition rules to facilitate compliance with section 23 of the Federal Reserve Act [12 U.S.C. 371b–2] (as added by subsection (a)).”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

12 U.S.C. § 371b–2

Title 12Banks and Banking

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73