Too Big To Fail

(TBTF).

A financial firm for which the economic and or social consequences of its disorderly failure and liquidation are considered unacceptable to the society within which it operates.

A consequence of the perceived TBTF status of a firm is that it is likely to be ‘rescued’ by the State if the relevant State has sufficient resources.

The first recognised TBTF bank was the Continental Illinois (CI), the 7th largest US Bank in 1984.

See also

• Systemically Important Financial Institution