What is the best way to find out what a local bank's liquidity is?

I would like to know how to find out what local banks are most liquid and most stable in the area I live. I have recently learned that banks don't even have to have a minimum 10% of deposits on hand thanks to the Federal Reserve Bank under Alan Greenspan. It's actually been that way since the early 90's. I am getting this information from a book I'm reading called "Conquer the Crash" by Robert Prechter Jr. If what he predicted in 2002 is correct we're in for a wild ride. I'm trying to protect what little I do have. Actually, a lot things Mr. Prechter talks about in the book seems to have happened already, except the crash. I'm not finished with the book yet, but I know enough to start preparing now. I actually asked the bank, with whom I'm doing business with now, about their liquidity and they looked at me like I was crazy. They gave me the national website since it's also a national chain, but it won't give the local bank's liquidity. Can anyone help me with this?

http://www2.fdic.gov/idasp/main.asp

Go to the bank's website, and look under "investor relations".

The easiest way is to go to that bank's website.

ANOTHER easy way is to go into a branch office or the main office and more than likely you'll see a brochure resembling a financial statement about the bank.

Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it!

VTY,
Ron Berue
Yes, that is my real last name!

If your bank is a public company (at least one of your local banks almost certainly will be), you can go to sec.gov and check their financial statements. The form you are looking for is a 10-K (the annual report), it will give you detailed information about their balance sheet and reserves, but these forms are dense... This won't tell you how much cash is at the local branch for obvious reasons.

Savings, checking, and CD deposits are insured by the government and therefore risk free (the government can print it). If the banking system truly collapsed, the real concern is not the financial strength of your bank, but the value of the money.

Good luck.