Yellen says bank 'situation is stabilizing,' smaller banks play important role

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday that "the situation is stabilizing and the U.S. banking system remains sound," after regional bank failures have shaken the U.S. banking system.

"The Fed's facility and discount window lending are working as intended to provide liquidity to the banking system," she said during a speech at a meeting of the American Bankers Association in Washington. "Aggregate deposit outflows from regional banks have stabilized."

She said the government's intervention in the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank were "necessary" -- and said "similar actions could be warranted" to protect smaller banks.

"The steps we took were not focused on aiding specific banks or classes of banks," she said. "Our intervention was necessary to protect the broader U.S. banking system, and similar actions could be warranted if smaller institutions suffered deposit runs that pose the risk of contagion."

She argued that the existence of smaller banks was important.

"Large banks play an important role in our economy, but so do small- and mid-sized banks," she said. "These banks are heavily engaged in traditional banking services that provide vital credit and financial support to families and small businesses. They also increase competition in the banking sector, and often have specialized knowledge and expertise in the communities they invest in.

"Large banks play an important role in our economy, but so does small and mid-sized banks," she said. "These banks are heavily engaged in traditional banking services that provide vital credit and financial support to families and small businesses. They also increase competition in the banking sector and often have specialized knowledge and expertise in the communities they invest in. Indeed, many of these banks have played an important role in supporting our economic recovery in the depths of the pandemic."

"The Treasury is committed to ensuring the ongoing health and competitiveness of our vibrant community and regional banking institution," she said.

ABC News' William Kim contributed to this report.