Mar 16, 2023
In special episode 175 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Kevin Martini, a Certified Mortgage Advisor and Producing Branch Manager, discusses the recent bank failures and the causes behind them. Kevin explains the basics of how the banking system works, using the example of how banks use customers' deposits to make loans and investments to earn a profit. He also gives a high-level overview of how bonds work, including their face value, coupon rate, and how they are traded in the market.
Kevin then delves into the recent bank failures, explaining how banks invested a significant portion of their customers' deposits in fixed assets, specifically bonds, which are considered safe investments. However, when interest rates increased, the value of these bonds decreased, resulting in significant losses for the banks when they had to sell the bonds to return customers' deposits. This led to a run on the banks and caused a wave of failures. Kevin argues that this was due to the banks' incompetence in not keeping up with the pace of interest rate hikes.
To protect your deposits, Kevin recommends ensuring that your bank is FDIC insured or NCUA insured for credit unions. If your assets in the bank are greater than $250,000, he advises being proactive and reclassifying your deposit accounts or dividing your assets into multiple institutions with balances under $250,000.
Kevin also discusses the potential impact of these bank failures on the economy, explaining how they may lead to a deflationary event where the cost of goods and services decreases, resulting in lower mortgage rates. He notes that lower mortgage rates make homes more affordable and attractive to homebuyers, making it an excellent time to buy if homeownership is right for you.
Overall, Kevin provides a detailed explanation of the recent bank failures, their causes, and their potential impact on the economy and homeownership. If you want to learn more about this topic or explore if homeownership is right for you, Kevin invites you to connect with him at the Martini Mortgage Group.
Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Kevin@MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Equal Housing Lender