1975 10¢ Banking and Commerce
US #1577-78 was issued for the Centennial Convention of the American Bankers Association.

On March 9, 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt signed legislation authorizing the Emergency Bank Act (EBA) to provide financial relief during a Depression-era banking crisis.

In February 1933, some states began declaring bank holidays, ordering banks to close. Hard hit by the Depression, many people had lost faith in the banking system and were withdrawing their money from banks and keeping it at home.

1981 18¢ Savings and Loan Sesquicentennial
US #1911 was issued for the 150th anniversary of the Savings and Loan Association.

By March 4, Delaware became the 48th and final state to close its banks. That day was also Franklin Roosevelt’s inauguration. In his inaugural address, President Roosevelt identified one of his first major objectives upon taking office was “strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments.”

President Roosevelt called for a special session of Congress the following day. He also declared a four-day bank holiday that shut down America’s banking system, including the Federal Reserve. The four-day bank holiday was put in place so Congress could come up with a plan to relieve the situation.

1984 20¢ Credit Union Act 50th Anniversary
US #2075 was issued for the 50th anniversary of the Federal Credit Union Act.

The Treasury staff had worked up an early draft of the law in the final days of President Hoover’s administration. The proposed act was submitted to Congress on the chaotic evening of March 9. Over 100 new members had just begun their terms in Congress, anxious to help improve the country’s financial scene. When the act was presented before the House of Representatives, there was just a single copy in the room. It was read aloud by the chairman of the House Banking Committee. More copies were made by the time the act was submitted to the Senate.

The act passed and was then signed into law by President Roosevelt that same night. The act had four main points – it expanded presidential authority in a banking crisis, it granted the comptroller of the currency the power to restrict the operations of banks with impaired assets, it let the secretary of the Treasury decide if banks needed extra funds, and it gave the Federal Reserve the right to issue emergency currency.

1975 10¢ Banking and Commerce Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover
US #1577-78 – Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover

On March 12, Roosevelt delivered his first Fireside Chat, explaining that the EBA was passed to help them and that they could put their trust, and their money, back in the banks. Roosevelt’s chat and the EBA proved successful – when banks reopened on March 13, customers lined up around the block to return their money to their accounts. By the end of the month, Americans had returned about two-thirds of the cash they had withdrawn prior to the passage of the EBA.

1984 20¢ Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
US #2071 was issued for the 50th anniversary of the FDIC.  

The EBA proved its worth on Wall Street as well. On March 15, the first day of stock trading after the closure, the New York Stock Exchange recorded its largest single-day percentage increase ever.

Later in the year, Roosevelt’s administration passed the 1933 Banking Act, which provided more long-term resolutions, including the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC attempted to renew confidence in Depression-era banks by insuring money deposited in these banks, up to $5,000 per account.

Click here to read the text of the Emergency Banking Act.

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7 Comments

  1. Two of the greatest presidents in the last century were Teddy Roosevelt and FDR, and we are still enjoying the benefits that they implemented in spite of efforts by special interest groups to destroy them! Therefore, it is important to know our nation’s history through stamps by Mystic.

  2. I think the opening sentence should indicate that FDR signed the legislation. In this day where presidents on both sides believe they can rule by executive order and emergencies we need to remember that only Congress can pass legislation.

    1. Okay, but this house of representative’s is the worst in history. They passed the fewest piece’s of legislation of all-time!

    1. Socialism? Really? Okay if you don’t want your socialistic tax deduction, social security check when you retire, heath insurance coverage if you have pre-existing conditions, then send the checks back! People always point socialism when all it is are programs to help Americans!

  3. Timm is right. I guess its socialism is when the government owns and operates facilities like national parks, hospitals, universities and colleges, bridges and highways, airports, air traffic control, GI benefits, police and fire departments, etc. If you think that these and other facilities should be in private hands, time travel back the 19th century and see how you like it.

  • Be nice and remember, we are all here to collect stamps!

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