On this day in 1932, On this day in 1932, President Herbert Hoover created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC). Its mission was to provide federal loans to businesses and state and local governments in an effort to jumpstart the economy during the Great Depression.
In 1932, the Great Depression was ravaging the U.S. economy, but it was also a time of hope and progress. Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion, reminding everyone of the need for honesty and accountability in business. Roosevelt won the election and his campaign promise of job creation and economic reform helped the economy make a slow but sure recovery. The average American worker was lucky to have a job and earned $1,650 in wages, but it was a start. The country was on the road to recovery.
Government Stimuli: The RFC was the first of its kind, offering long-term loans for business investments, municipal projects, and other economic activities. It was also instrumental in helping to alleviate the effects of the Depression by providing stimulus funding for infrastructure projects, government services, and much-needed jobs.
The RFC was initially funded with $500 million in capital and was authorized to borrow up to $2 billion from the U.S. Treasury. During Hoover’s first term, the RFC loaned out more than $1.5 billion, which enabled businesses to expand and hire more people. The RFC also loaned money to state and local governments so they could continue to provide essential services and avoid defaulting on their debt.
The RFC was successful in helping to revive the economy and was later replaced by the Smaller War Plants Corporation and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act of 1932. These acts provided additional stimulus funding for businesses and infrastructure projects and helped to revive the economy.
Since its inception, the RFC has served as a model for other government stimulus programs. Even today, the RFC’s methods and goals are still in use and are referenced when discussing the use of government assistance to spur economic growth…….
*What are your thoughts on this event?  What are your thoughts on how it affects society’s life today?