Non-Member Banks: What it is, How it Works, Examples (2024)

What Are Non-Member Banks?

Non-member banks are banks that are not members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System. As with member banks, non-member banks are subject to reserve requirements, which they have to maintain by placing a percentage of their deposits at a Federal Reserve Bank. Although non-member banks are not required to purchase stock in their district Federal Reserve banks, they still have access to services offered by the Federal Reserve, such as its discount window on the same terms as member banks.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-member banks refer to banks that are not members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, typically state-chartered banks.
  • State-chartered banks may ultimately decide to refrain from membership under the Fed because regulation can be less onerous based on state laws and under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which oversees non-member banks.
  • Other examples of non-member banks include the Bank of the West and GMC Bank.

How Non-Member Banks Work

Non-member banks can only be state-chartered since all nationally-chartered banks necessarily have to be members of the Federal Reserve System. One reason that state-chartered banks may decide to refrain from membership is that regulation can be less onerous, some believe, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which oversees non-member banks rather than the Federal Reserve Banks (member banks report to regional Federal Reserve banks).

Depending on where they are located, non-member banks are only subject to state laws, rather than federal laws, so they may opt for less-regulated operations in a state like North Dakota. In addition, they are able to keep at least a part of their reserves in interest-bearing securities. Non-member banks, like members, still receive services from the Federal Reserve System, including check clearing, electronic funds movements, and automated clearing house payments.

Becoming a member is only a matter of submitting an application, fulfilling the requirements, and going through a waiting period. Some non-member banks deliberate on this decision carefully and engage in the process in measured steps if they believe that being a member is ultimately more beneficial than remaining a non-member. There are also examples of, in extreme cases, non-member banks deciding to change their status to take advantage of certain benefits of becoming part of the U.S. Federal Reserve System.

Examples of Non-Member Banks

In 2008, some non-member banks fled into the arms of the Federal Reserve System for protection. Such was the case with investment bank Goldman Sachs, which faced economic uncertainty during the financial crisis in 2008. The investment bank humbly sought and received member status to access the Fed's discount window and begin taking government-guaranteed deposits from the public. In a press release heralding its new status, the bank spun it this way: "We believe that Goldman Sachs, under Federal Reserve supervision, will be regarded as an even more secure institution with an exceptionally clean balance sheet and a greater diversity of funding sources."

Other examples of non-member banks include the Bank of the West, GMAC Bank, and the Bank of North Dakota.

Non-Member Banks: What it is, How it Works, Examples (2024)

FAQs

Non-Member Banks: What it is, How it Works, Examples? ›

Non-member banks are banks that are not members of the U.S. Federal Reserve System. As with member banks, non-member banks are subject to reserve requirements, which they have to maintain by placing a percentage of their deposits at a Federal Reserve Bank.

What are examples of non-bank financial institutions? ›

Examples of nonbank financial institutions include insurance firms, venture capitalists, currency exchanges, some microloan organizations, and pawn shops. These non-bank financial institutions provide services that are not necessarily suited to banks, serve as competition to banks, and specialize in sectors or groups.

What is an example of a member bank? ›

For example, Bank of America is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. This means that they are required to hold a certain amount of reserves and follow certain lending practices set by the Federal Reserve. Another example of a member bank is Wells Fargo.

What are nonbanking activities? ›

Key Takeaways. Permissible non-bank activities are a set of functions that financial holding companies can engage in, but which traditional banks cannot. These include activities like insurance underwriting, securities dealing, and investment advisory or brokerage services.

What is an example of a non-deposit institution? ›

An example of a non-depository institution might be a mortgage bank. While licensed to lend, they cannot accept deposits.

How do non-banks work? ›

Non-banks tend to offer services such as lending, currency exchange, underwriting, and more. However, unlike their banking compatriots, they cannot accept traditional deposits. Some of the most common services that non-banks offer are similar to those from: Lenders (mortgage, market, P2P, etc.)

What are examples of non-financial services? ›

Non-financial services include information, education, networking/access to markets and recognition. They should complement the financial offerings of a bank. They are not a marketing effort, not part of CSR and not one-size-fits-all; they require a business strategy in order to ensure sustainability.

What are non-banking activities? ›

A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities issued by Government or local authority or other marketable securities of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance ...

What is an example of a non-banking asset? ›

Non-banking assets refer to assets that are not owned or held by a bank, but rather by other types of financial institutions or individuals. Examples of non-banking assets may include stocks, bonds, real estate, mutual funds, and other types of investments.

What are the types of non-banking financial institutions? ›

Listed below are a few types of NBFCs in India and their respective contributions to the nation's financial landscape.
  • Asset Finance Companies (AFCs) ...
  • Loan companies. ...
  • Infrastructure Finance Companies (IFCs) ...
  • Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) ...
  • Investment companies. ...
  • Systemically Important Core Investment Companies (CICs-SI)
Jul 21, 2023

What is a non-member bank? ›

Non-Member Banks

Commercial banks that are state-chartered and NOT members of the Federal Reserve System. Include all insured commercial banks and industrial banks.

What is an example of non-bank deposit takers? ›

NBDTs include finance companies that raise funds from the public, as well as most building societies and credit unions. Managed investment schemes are not included. Nor are finance companies and other entities that fund solely from related parties, or from corporate or wholesale sources.

What is the difference between a bank and a non-bank? ›

Banks are traditional financial institutions that offer a wide range of financial services, including home loans. They are often well-established and have a significant presence in the market. On the other hand, non-bank lenders are financial institutions that provide lending services but do not hold a banking licence.

What are the largest non-bank financial institutions? ›

U.S. Mortgage Market Originations
sortTotal Originations - $ in bils2022
1United Wholesale Mortgage127.3
2PennyMac Financial108.9
3Rocket Mortgage133.1
4AmeriHome Mortgage47.2
9 more rows
Mar 12, 2024

What is a non financial institution? ›

A non-banking financial institution (NBFI) or non-bank financial company (NBFC) is a financial institution that is not legally a bank; it does not have a full banking license or is not supervised by a national or international banking regulatory agency.

What is an example of a NBFC? ›

Housing Finance Companies, Merchant Banking Companies, Stock Exchanges, Companies engaged in the business of stock-broking/sub-broking, Venture Capital Fund Companies, Nidhi Companies, Insurance companies and Chit Fund Companies are NBFCs but they have been exempted from the requirement of registration under Section 45 ...

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