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Deposit Insurance Fund

Historical Designated Reserve Ratio

Last Updated: December 7, 2022
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Historical Designated Reserve Ratio

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDI Act) requires that the FDIC Board of Directors (Board) designate a reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF or fund) and publish the designated reserve ratio, or DRR, before the beginning of each calendar year. The Board must set the DRR in accordance with its analysis of the following statutory factors:

  • Risk of losses to the DIF;
  • Economic conditions generally affecting insured depository institutions;
  • Preventing sharp swings in assessment rates; and
  • Any other factors that the Board determines to be appropriate.

Under the FDI Act, the FDIC has broad discretion to manage the DIF, including at what level to set the DIF. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 set the required minimum reserve ratio to 1.35 percent. If the reserve ratio falls below 1.35 percent or is expected to within 6 months, the FDIC generally must adopt a restoration plan to restore the DIF reserve ratio to at least 1.35 percent within 8 years.

There is no upper limit on the reserve ratio and thus, no statutory limit on the size of the fund. The FDI Act provides for dividends from the fund when the reserve ratio exceeds 1.5 percent, but grants the Board sole discretion in determining whether to suspend or limit the declaration or payment of dividends.

The FDI Act requires that the Board consider the appropriate level for the DRR annually and, if the Board is changing the DRR, to engage in notice-and-comment rulemaking and publish the new DRR before the beginning of the calendar year. The following table shows the DRR set for 2007-2023.

Designated Reserve Ratio
Year Designated Reserve Ratio (DRR)
2023 2.00%
2022 2.00%
2021 2.00%
2020 2.00%
2019 2.00%
2018 2.00%
2017 2.00%
2016 2.00%
2015 2.00%
2014 2.00%
2013 2.00%
2012 2.00%
2011 2.00%
2010 1.25%
2009 1.25%
2008 1.25%
2007 1.250%

Extraordinary growth in insured deposits during the first and second quarters of 2020 caused the reserve ratio to decline below the statutory minimum to 1.30 percent as of June 30, 2020. On September 15, 2020, the Board adopted a Restoration Plan to restore the DIF to at least 1.35 percent by September 30, 2028. On June 21, 2022, the Board adopted an Amended Restoration Plan incorporating an increase in assessment rates. The Amended Plan requires the FDIC to update its analysis and projections for the DIF balance and reserve ratio at least semiannually.

2022

2021

2020

As the reserve ratio dropped below 1.25 percent near the end of 2006, the FDIC began taking steps to maintain the Fund balance and liquidity. Following are the related actions taken by the FDIC Board since then. On September 30, 2018, the DIF reserve ratio reached 1.36 percent, exceeding the statutorily required minimum reserve ratio of 1.35 percent.

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006