Core Insights - The article highlights the significant unrealized losses on investment securities held by the U.S. banking system, which have reached record levels since 2022 due to rapid interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve [1] Group 1: Investment Securities - The chart from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) illustrates the difference between the book value and market value of investment securities from 2006 to 2025 [1] - Since 2022, the U.S. banking system has experienced a dramatic decline in bond values, leading to unrealized losses on "available-for-sale" and "held-to-maturity" securities [1] - The total unrealized losses approached $800 billion, significantly higher than any previous period [1]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. banking industry is under significant stress due to high interest rates, with potential risks of a new banking crisis similar to the one experienced in March 2023, particularly if economic conditions worsen due to inflation and other factors [1][9][10]. Group 1: Current Banking Situation - As of the end of 2024, the total unrealized losses in U.S. bank securities investments reached $482.4 billion, an increase of $118 billion or 32.5% from the previous quarter [1]. - The peak of unrealized losses was $684 billion at the end of 2023, indicating a troubling trend for the banking sector [1]. - Experts warn that if interest rates remain high, the accumulated losses during the crisis will not dissipate, leading to further vulnerabilities in the banking system [10]. Group 2: Expert Opinions - Financial experts emphasize that unless assets are sold, unrealized losses do not appear on banks' profit and loss statements, but they pose a liquidity threat if depositor confidence wanes [2][6]. - The volatility of long-term interest rates, particularly the 10-year Treasury yield, is closely linked to bank losses, with current rates hovering above 4.5% [5][6]. - The potential for a new banking crisis remains, as any negative news about a bank could trigger a repeat of the March 2023 crisis [2][8]. Group 3: Risks and Concerns - The banking sector's exposure to long-term securities, which are classified as "held to maturity," means that their market value fluctuations do not directly impact financial statements unless sold [6][7]. - If banks are forced to sell investments, they must mark their entire portfolio to market value, which could lead to significant liquidity issues [6][10]. - Regional and super-regional banks, particularly those with asset sizes between $10 billion and $200 billion, are highlighted as particularly vulnerable due to their large uninsured deposits exceeding the FDIC insurance limit [10].