How we calculate bank health
The FDIC and NCUA each maintain a watch list of banks and credit unions they believe are at risk of failing, but they keep these lists secret in order to prevent panic among customers at those institutions, resulting in more failures. They do, however, publish the raw financial numbers for each institution every quarter. It is possible to use different formulas with this data to determine the financial health of banks and credit unions. DepositAccounts uses its own proprietary formula to assess the financial health of all federally insured banks and credit unions in the US. Below are some of the key components used to calculate bank health:
Texas Ratio
Developed at RBC Capital Markets, the Texas Ratio is a relatively straightforward and effective way to determine the overall credit troubles experienced by financial institutions. It is determined by comparing the total value of at risk loans to the total value of funds the bank has on hand to cover these loans. At risk loans are any loans that are more than 90 days past due and are not backed by the government. The amount of funds on hand consists of the loan loss allowance that the bank has set aside plus any equity capital.
For example, a bank with $65 million in at risk loans and $72 million in cash on hand to cover those loans would have a Texas Ratio of $65mm / $72mm, which is 90.3%. This figure is approaching the 100% threshold, which is considered very risky. You can also look at the trend in this Texas Ratio as an additional factor to tell if the bank's financial health is heading in the right direction.
Deposit Growth
When people put money in a bank, it is an indicator of confidence. It also increases the money that a bank has on hand and can help strengthen the balance sheet of the bank. You can look to see the amount of total deposits that a bank has and look to see whether they have been increasing over time. A strong track record of stable growth is an indicator of consumer confidence and the bank's ability to strengthen its balance sheet. The opposite can be an indicator of a decline in confidence in the institution and, if pronounced and prolonged, can mean that the bank’s ability to keep a strong balance sheet is in jeopardy.
Capitalization
Another quick, at-a-glance indicator of bank financial health is its available capital. You can figure available capital with a direct calculation of an institution’s assets minus its liabilities. Stronger capital means that more assets are available to cover potential losses.