What was one power expanded to the FDIC by the Depository Institution Act of 1982?

The Depository Institutions Act of 1982 significantly enhanced the role of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), particularly in its ability to assist troubled banks. This legislation was enacted in the wake of several banking crises, driving the need for stronger measures to ensure financial stability.

By expanding the FDIC's power to assist troubled banks, the act allowed for more proactive measures in managing bank failures and preserving the stability of the banking system. This might include providing additional support through financial assistance or facilitating mergers with more stable institutions, thereby preventing wider economic fallout from a potential bank failure.

The other options do not reflect the changes brought by this act. While regulating interest rates on loans and eliminating overdraft fees might relate to the broader regulatory framework of financial institutions, they were not specifically powers granted to the FDIC by the Depository Institutions Act of 1982. Similarly, the ability to close banks without regulation does not align with the intent of the act; the FDIC's role includes overseeing the orderly resolution of failing banks, rather than unregulated closures. This focus on oversight and assistance underscores the importance of maintaining depositor confidence and systemic stability in the banking sector.