The FDIC exists for one, sole purpose: to put the people to sleep in order to prevent bank runs. In the event of a monetary crisis, if the bank doesn't have the money, where is the FDIC supposed to get it from, the bank?!?! The FDIC's balance sheet is public information for anyone who cares to look (i.e. nobody but me and a couple other nerds). They have literally less than a cent on the dollar.