[SkyPuncher]

> Bailing out the owners is obviously completely out of the question, but why bail out the depositors beyond the guarantees they knew they were getting at the time?

The insured amount is absolutely guaranteed. However, it's still standard for a failed bank to make it's depositors whole.

I don't have sources, but data I've seen indicates of the nearly 600 bank failures since 2000, few, if any, have resulted in a loss of deposits.

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Put another way. Most employees don't have contractual obligations to receive severance. However, it's culturally expected that businesses performing layoffs will offer severance. Those who don't risk people not coming to work for them.\

Same situation in the US. The USD and it's banking system is seen as incredibly stable and robust. When chinks start to form, it raises concern and people might start looking to bank in other currencies.