Final answer:
The primary purpose of deposit insurance is to prevent banking panics by ensuring that depositors do not lose their money if a bank fails, which is managed by the FDIC in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Primary Purpose of Deposit Insurance
The primary purpose of deposit insurance is to prevent banking panics. This insurance system ensures that depositors in a bank will not lose their money if the bank goes bankrupt. In the United States, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) manages deposit insurance, guaranteeing bank deposits up to $250,000. This protection helps maintain confidence in the banking system and prevents bank runs, which can occur when depositors fear that a financial institution is at risk of failure. The FDIC charges banks an insurance premium, based on the bank’s deposits and the riskiness of its financial situation, to fund this insurance.