• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
FinanceSilicon Valley Bank

BlackRock’s Larry Fink sees the possibility of a broader banking crisis on the horizon: ‘Are the dominoes starting to fall?’

Prarthana Prakash
By
Prarthana Prakash
Prarthana Prakash
Europe Business News Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
Prarthana Prakash
By
Prarthana Prakash
Prarthana Prakash
Europe Business News Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 15, 2023, 1:22 PM ET
A picture of Larry Fink
BlackRock's Larry Fink thinks the SVB fallout could be a "slow rolling crisis."Hollie Adams—Bloomberg/Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The banking crisis that started with Silicon Valley Bank’s failure on Friday and followed by the collapse of crypto-focused Signature Bank may not be over as it had seemed earlier this week. 

There remains a threat, or contagion, to the broader financial system, according to Larry Fink, CEO of asset management giant BlackRock and one of the most influential voices in the financial world given his company’s management of trillions of dollars in assets. 

“The regulatory response has so far been swift, and decisive actions have helped stave off contagion risks. But markets remain on edge,” Fink said in a much-awaited Wednesday letter to stakeholders. “Are the dominoes starting to fall?”

The first domino dropped when the Federal reserve rapidly raised interest rates to fight inflation, according to the BlackRock chief. Since last year, the Federal Reserve has increased rates eight times, for a total of nearly 500 basis points, ending what’s known as the era of “easy money.” 

The SVB implosion could lead to a second domino to fall, due to an asset-liability imbalance. SVB’s parent company had sold $21 billion worth of investments last week, resulting in an after-tax loss of $1.8 billion. It subsequently announced that it would raise $2.25 billion in fresh equity to beef up its balance sheet. 

“There could yet be a third domino to fall,” Fink said.

He alluded to past periods when the financial system faced tight conditions and eventually led to “flameouts.” He gave the example of the Savings and Loan crisis in the 1980s when inflation and interest rates increased sharply and its impact unfolded like a “slow rolling crisis” over the next decade. The failure of over 3,000 savings and loans ultimately cost taxpayers $132 billion.

“We don’t know yet whether the consequences of easy money and regulatory changes will cascade throughout the U.S. regional banking sector (akin to the S&L crisis) with more seizures and shutdowns coming,” Fink wrote. “It’s too early to know how widespread the damage is.”

The next worry for investors is whether to expect an interest rate hike at the Federal Open Market Committee meeting next week. Inflation in the U.S. is still raging—in February, prices were up 6% compared to a year earlier, which was lower than a 6.4% year-over-year increase in January. But it was still well above the Fed’s 2% target. 

There are wildly different viewpoints on whether the Fed will continue its rate hikes given the latest banking crisis. Banks like Goldman Sachs believe the Fed will delay a planned rate hike in March due to the SVB fallout, while others think that hitting the brakes on interest rate hikes now would send a negative signal to the market. Economist Mohamed El-Erian sees a more modest interest rate hike on the horizon instead of a total halt.

In his letter, Fink said that since inflation is still high, the Fed will continue increasing interest rates. 

“While the financial system is clearly stronger than it was in 2008, the monetary and fiscal tools available to policymakers and regulators to address the current crisis are limited, especially with a divided government in the United States,” Fink said in reference to the trouble SVB’s failure posed to the financial system at a time of heightened inflation.

BlackRock did not immediately return Fortune’s request for comment. 

Subscribe to Well Adjusted, our newsletter full of simple strategies to work smarter and live better, from the Fortune Well team. Sign up today.
About the Author
Prarthana Prakash
By Prarthana PrakashEurope Business News Reporter
LinkedIn icon

Prarthana Prakash was a Europe business reporter at Fortune.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

m
PoliticsNew York City
Mamdani lives up to campaign promise, freezing rent for about 1 million New Yorkers
By Anthony Izaguirre, Nick Lichtenberg and The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
2 minutes ago
gavin
PoliticsTaxes
Newsom calls for a national billionaires’ tax — just not the one his state’s voters are about to pass
By Jonathan J. Cooper and The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
22 minutes ago
fr
Environmentclimate change
Europe is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet — and it would be impossible without climate change, study says
By Alexa St. John and The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
30 minutes ago
b
PoliticsTaxes
After flirting with Gavin Newsom rollback idea, union is ‘all in’ on full billionaires’ tax for California
By Sophie Austin and The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
33 minutes ago
Current price of Ethereum for June 26, 2026
Personal FinanceEthereum
Current price of Ethereum for June 26, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 26, 2026
3 hours ago
Current price of Bitcoin for June 26, 2026
Personal FinanceCryptocurrency
Current price of Bitcoin for June 26, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 26, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
1 day ago
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
2 days ago
Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
Economy
Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
By Nick LichtenbergJune 26, 2026
9 hours ago
The bond market knows something about the $39 trillion national debt that Washington doesn’t
Economy
The bond market knows something about the $39 trillion national debt that Washington doesn’t
By Eva RoytburgJune 25, 2026
19 hours ago
Trump turns on Big Oil donors who spent nearly $100 million to get him elected—now he wants the DOJ to investigate them for price gouging
Economy
Trump turns on Big Oil donors who spent nearly $100 million to get him elected—now he wants the DOJ to investigate them for price gouging
By Tristan BoveJune 25, 2026
19 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 25, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 25, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 25, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.