The Emergency Banking Act (also known as the Emergency Banking Relief Act) was an act of the United States Congress spearheaded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. It was passed on March 9, 1933.

On March 6, 1933, the day after Roosevelt's inauguration, he had called a special session of congress which instituted a mandatory four-day bank holiday. This act provided for the re-opening of banks after federal inspectors had declared them to be financially secure.

Within 3 days of the act's passage, 5,000 banks had passed inspection and were re-opened. Roughly two thirds of US banks quickly re-opened under this act, and faith in banking institutions was somewhat restored.

This act was a temporary emergency solution to a major problem. The 1933 Banking Act passed later that year presented elements of a more permanent solution, including the formation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

External links

• Full Text of the Emergency Banking Act