What is a Zombie Bank?
A zombie bank is a bank with liabilities that exceed its assets (in other words, it has a net worth of zero). They do not die (hence the nickname) because they receive government support or bailouts.
How Does a Zombie Bank Work?
Let's say Bank XYZ has $1 billion in assets (loans it has made to customers) and $2 billion in liabilities (delinquent loans, interest payments due to customers, debt it may have borrowed, etc.). Bank XYZ could declare bankruptcy and default on its obligations, but instead it receives a big loan from the federal government, which buys Bank XYZ some time to renegotiate its debt to other lenders and get its loan portfolio in better shape.
Why Does a Zombie Bank Matter?
Zombie banks are very risky, and often they indicate structural problems that go far beyond the banking industry.
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