Problem bank ratio at 23-year high

Fewer banks, more problems. That's one take on the state of the banking industry, via the latest review issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The number of banks fell for the 25th straight year in 2010, FDIC data show. The agency's deposit insurance fund now covers 7,657 banks and thrifts. That's down 25% from 1999 levels and 58% below the 1985 peak. At the same time, the number of banks at risk of failure continues to climb. The FDIC says 884 institutions rate dishonorable mention (anonymously, of course) on its problem list. That number has risen for 17 straight...