Mar 20, 2023

Let the bank failure blame game begin

Do banking rules need tightening? Or do we need more supervisors with better training and greater powers? Plus, a look at where the semiconductor industry sends gems that aren't up to snuff.

Segments From this episode

Banks in Turmoil

Are bank supervisors, or bank rules, too lax?

by Kimberly Adams

Mar 20, 2023

Do banking rules need tightening? Do supervisors need better training and greater powers? The answer will influence what comes next.

Politicians and lobbyists are debating whether Silicon Valley Bank collapsed due to a regulatory or supervisory failure. Above, Sen. Charles Grassley confers with Sen. John Cornyn during a Finance Committee hearing.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Banks in Turmoil

All eyes are on the Federal Reserve's next move in this "wobbly" economic moment

by Kai Ryssdal and Sarah Leeson

Mar 20, 2023

The inflation threat calls for one type of action, and the banking turmoil calls for another. How will the Fed respond?

Chairman Jerome Powell and other policymakers at the central bank will reveal their interest rate decision Wednesday. The Fed is also taking steps to stabilize the condition of regional banks and protect depositors.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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Banks in Turmoil

Is Switzerland still synonymous with safe banking?

by Stephanie Hughes

Mar 20, 2023

Switzerland’s reputation for secure, secret banking goes back to at least WW I. But its banks have changed over time, with mixed results.

UBS was reportedly worried that if Credit Suisse went bankrupt, it could have threatened the image of Swiss banking.

Fabric Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

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Supreme Court hears case on Navajo Nation water rights

by Savannah Peters

Mar 20, 2023

Amid regional efforts to conserve the Colorado River's flow, the U.S. government argues it has no duty to enforce Navajo water rights.

At the Supreme Court on Monday, the federal government acknowledged the Navajo Nation’s water right but argued that it has no duty to enforce that right.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Scientific gems are having a sparkly moment

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Mar 20, 2023

Exotic crystals grown for science and industry that don't make the cut for the lab are being repurposed as jewelry.

Lutetium aluminum garnets, normally used in scientific and medical instruments to detect invisible radiation, have been fashioned into gem stones after being repurposed by Stephen Challener and faceted by Eric Bardawil at House of Sylas.

Eric Bardawil

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Banks in Turmoil

Smaller banks keep a close watch over their liquidity

by Justin Ho

Mar 20, 2023

One concern: People will put their money in a bigger bank. But there's a good reason to leave it in smaller institution, one banker says.

If more people get anxious about the banking system, they may start withdrawing their money, said University of Alabama law professor Julie Hill.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Beat Goes On Pete Rock

Glowing Light Richard Houghten

Black Sands Bonobo

When the Lights Go Down Prince

Sin Rumbo Panoptica Orchestra

Meet Me in the Woods Lord Huron

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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