run on the bank
Mass deposit withdrawal
A run on the bank is a sudden rush of depositors withdrawing their money, typically triggered by fear that the bank will fail.
When enough people lose confidence simultaneously, even solvent banks can collapse from the drain on reserves: News of the investment losses sparked a run on the bank.
The phrase extends to any panicked mass withdrawal from an institution.
- depositorsThose who bank funds
- long linesExtended waiting formations
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- word of mouthInformation passed through conversation
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
withdrawal · savings account · bankruptcy · rumors · finance · contagion · Great Depression · insolvency · risk · safe deposit box · economic recession · domino effect · financial crisis · economy · liquidity · cash reserves · bailouts · too big to fail