How did the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act impact the banking sector?

The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 was a significant piece of legislation that fundamentally altered the structure of the banking industry in the United States. By separating commercial banking from investment banking, the act aimed to reduce the risks and conflicts of interest that had contributed to the financial instability of the 1920s and the Great Depression that followed.

Commercial banks, under this act, were prohibited from engaging in investment banking activities, which meant they could no longer underwrite or deal in stocks and bonds. This separation was intended to protect depositors and ensure that consumer deposits were safeguarded from the more speculative practices of investment banking. By distinguishing between these two types of banking, the Glass-Steagall Act sought to create a more stable financial system, ultimately helping to restore trust in the banking sector.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the primary impact of the Glass-Steagall Act. For example, allowing banks to invest in the stock market contradicts the act’s purpose of restricting such activities. Additionally, while the act did contribute to the later creation of federal deposit insurance through the FDIC, it was not the direct mechanism for establishing a federal insurance program. Regulating the interest rates of loans was more aligned with different legislation aimed