Federal Savings and Loan Associations

Federal Savings and Loan Associations are federally chartered institutions with a primary responsibility to accept people's savings deposits and provide mortgage loans for residential housing. Their role and scope were broadened by the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980. Accounts are insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC.

Definition

Federal Savings and Loan Associations (FS&LAs) are government-regulated financial institutions initially established to facilitate home ownership by providing a reliable source of mortgage loans. These institutions primarily collect savings deposits from the public and use these funds to issue long-term mortgage loans. The Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 broadened their operations by allowing these associations greater flexibility in the types of loans and financial products they could offer.


Examples

  1. Example 1: Atlantic Federal Savings and Loan Association

    • A typical FS&LA located in a suburban area that accepts savings deposits and provides mortgage loans for local residents.
  2. Example 2: Pacific Federal Savings and Loan Association

    • An institution that also engages in community investments and development projects in addition to offering residential mortgage loans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main function of Federal Savings and Loan Associations?

FS&LAs primarily accept savings deposits and provide mortgage loans for residential housing, making home ownership accessible to the general public.

How did the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 affect FS&LAs?

The Act broadened the role and scope of FS&LAs, allowing them more flexibility in the types of financial services they could offer.

Are deposits in FS&LAs insured?

Yes, all accounts in FS&LAs are insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Can FS&LAs offer financial products other than mortgage loans?

Yes, post the 1980 Act, FS&LAs can offer a variety of financial products including personal loans, auto loans, and various types of savings accounts.

Are FS&LAs similar to traditional banks?

While they perform similar functions, FS&LAs are distinct in that they focus primarily on residential mortgages and savings deposits. They were specifically designed to make home ownership accessible.


  • Mortgage Loan: A loan used by individuals to purchase a home, where the property itself serves as collateral.
  • Savings Deposit: Funds that individuals deposit in a savings account, typically earning interest over time.
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): A government agency that insures deposits at banks and savings institutions.
  • Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980: Legislation that deregulated various aspects of the banking industry, providing more flexibility to depository institutions.
  • Chartered Institution: Financial institutions that are given legal authority to operate by federal or state charters.

Online References

  1. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
  2. Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980

Suggested Books

  1. A History of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) by Ralph D. Crosby
  2. The Thrift Institutions Restructuring by Richard T. Pratt
  3. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991: An Overview by Warren G. Heller and David S. Holland

Fundamentals of Federal Savings and Loan Associations: Finance Basics Quiz

### What is the primary responsibility of Federal Savings and Loan Associations? - [x] Accept savings deposits and provide mortgage loans for residential housing. - [ ] Offer commercial and industrial loans. - [ ] Manage stock and bond portfolios. - [ ] Provide personal banking services like checking accounts. > **Explanation:** The primary responsibility of FS&LAs is to accept savings deposits and provide mortgage loans for residential housing. ### What legislation broadened the role and scope of FS&LAs? - [x] Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 - [ ] Federal Reserve Act of 1913 - [ ] Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - [ ] Securities Act of 1933 > **Explanation:** The Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 broadened the role and scope of FS&LAs by granting them more flexibility. ### Up to how much are FS&LA deposits insured by the FDIC? - [ ] $100,000 - [ ] $500,000 - [x] $250,000 - [ ] $1,000,000 > **Explanation:** All accounts in FS&LAs are insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC. ### Which of the following is NOT a typical function of FS&LAs? - [ ] Providing mortgage loans - [ ] Accepting savings deposits - [x] Offering investment banking services - [ ] Issuing personal loans > **Explanation:** FS&LAs are focused on providing mortgage loans and accepting savings deposits, not offering investment banking services. ### What type of loans was primarily handled by FS&LAs originally? - [ ] Commercial Loans - [x] Mortgage Loans - [ ] Student Loans - [ ] Personal Loans > **Explanation:** Initially, FS&LAs were primarily focused on handling mortgage loans to facilitate home ownership. ### What year was the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act enacted? - [ ] 1970 - [x] 1980 - [ ] 1990 - [ ] 2000 > **Explanation:** The Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act was enacted in 1980. ### Are FS&LA accounts insured by the FSLIC? - [ ] Yes - [x] No, they are insured by the FDIC. - [ ] Only partially - [ ] Depends on the institution > **Explanation:** FS&LA accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), not the FSLIC. ### FS&LAs play a crucial role in which sector? - [ ] Technology - [ ] Manufacturing - [x] Real Estate - [ ] Healthcare > **Explanation:** FS&LAs primarily play a crucial role in the real estate sector by providing mortgage loans for residential housing. ### Can FS&LAs offer checking accounts? - [x] Yes - [ ] No - [ ] Only to businesses - [ ] Only in certain states > **Explanation:** Post the 1980 Act, FS&LAs can offer various financial products including checking accounts. ### Which entity provides the charter for Federal Savings and Loan Associations? - [ ] State governments - [x] Federal government - [ ] Private corporations - [ ] Local municipalities > **Explanation:** Federal Savings and Loan Associations are federally chartered institutions.

Thank you for exploring the comprehensive world of Federal Savings and Loan Associations and testing your understanding with our challenging quiz!


Wednesday, August 7, 2024

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