## Can Banks Invest in Stocks?
### Key Takeaways
— Banks are generally prohibited from investing in stocks due to the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933.
— The Glass-Steagall Act was repealed in 1999, but banks are still subject to regulations that restrict their ability to invest in stocks.
— There are some exceptions to these regulations, such as banks that are designated as «well-capitalized» by the Federal Reserve.
— Banks that are well-capitalized may invest up to 10% of their total assets in stocks.
— Banks may also invest in stocks through subsidiaries or affiliates.
### Introduction
Banks play a vital role in the financial system by providing loans and other financial services to businesses and consumers. However, banks are also subject to a number of regulations that restrict their activities. One of these regulations is the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which prohibits banks from investing in stocks.
### The Glass-Steagall Act
The Glass-Steagall Act was passed in response to the stock market crash of 1929. The crash led to a loss of confidence in the banking system, and many banks failed. The Glass-Steagall Act was designed to prevent a similar crisis from happening again by separating commercial banking from investment banking.
The Glass-Steagall Act prohibits banks from:
— Underwriting or dealing in securities
— Engaging in the securities business
— Affiliating with any company that is engaged in the securities business
### The Repeal of Glass-Steagall
The Glass-Steagall Act was repealed in 1999 by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The repeal of Glass-Steagall allowed banks to once again engage in the securities business. However, banks are still subject to a number of regulations that restrict their ability to invest in stocks.
### Regulations on Bank Stock Investments
The Federal Reserve Board has issued a number of regulations that restrict banks’ ability to invest in stocks. These regulations include:
— Banks may not invest more than 10% of their total assets in stocks.
— Banks may only invest in stocks that are considered to be «investment grade.»
— Banks must hold a minimum amount of capital in order to invest in stocks.
### Exceptions to the Regulations
There are some exceptions to the regulations on bank stock investments. For example, banks that are designated as «well-capitalized» by the Federal Reserve may invest up to 15% of their total assets in stocks. Banks may also invest in stocks through subsidiaries or affiliates.
### Conclusion
Banks are generally prohibited from investing in stocks due to the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. The Glass-Steagall Act was repealed in 1999, but banks are still subject to regulations that restrict their ability to invest in stocks. There are some exceptions to these regulations, such as banks that are designated as «well-capitalized» by the Federal Reserve. Banks that are well-capitalized may invest up to 10% of their total assets in stocks. Banks may also invest in stocks through subsidiaries or affiliates.
### Additional Resources
— [Federal Reserve Board: Bank Stock Investments](https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/SRLETTERS/2003/SR0302a1.PDF)
— [Glass-Steagall Act of 1933](https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/glass-steagall_act)
— [Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999](https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/gramm-leach-bliley_act)