Fed's Powell said that Banking Sector is Broadly Improved and right after PacWest Bank Collapses 53%

Federal ReservePhoto byJoshua WoronieckionUnsplash

On May 3rd, the stock prices of PacWest Bank plummeted by over 50% in after-hours trading.

The banking system is an essential aspect of any economy. It is a pillar that supports economic growth and provides the necessary liquidity to finance various projects. However, recent events have shown that the banking system is far from perfect, and there are concerns that we need to address.

For instance, the collapse of First Republic Bank, which occurred just two days before the Federal Reserve meeting, indicates that there is still a risk of bank failures.

While the Fed's policymaking committee acknowledges that the banking conditions have broadly improved, it is clear that there is still work to be done to ensure that the banking system remains sound and resilient.

On May 3rd, the stock prices of PacWest Bank plummeted by over 50% in after-hours trading. The sudden decrease in stock prices occurred after a report surfaced that the bank was exploring different strategic options, which included the possibility of a sale. This news emerged several hours after the end of the trading day.

The regional bank crisis in the United States was reignited on May 2nd, with many mid-sized banks experiencing significant drops in their share prices.

This decline was primarily caused by JP Morgan's acquisition of First Republic, which raised concerns about the stability of other regional banks. PacWest Bank and Western Alliance were the two most impacted lenders that day.

The announcement of PacWest Bank exploring different strategic options, including a potential sale, severely impacted the company's stock prices. The stocks rapidly declined by over 50%, even nearing a 60% drop at one point. Western Alliance's share prices were also affected, but the decrease was less dramatic, amounting to just over 23%.

However, it is still unclear whether PacWest Bank will indeed pursue a sale, as the bank has not yet commenced a formal auction process.

It feels like banks are falling like dominos. A new bank drops more than 50% of its shares each week.

While the Federal Reserve has the responsibility to oversee the banking system, recent events have shown that there may be shortcomings in their oversight. There is a need for more transparency and accountability to ensure that the banking system remains sound and resilient.

What is your thought on this? Is PacWest the next one?