Following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, depositors have been pulling their money from some banks, causing stock prices for financial firms to fluctuate.
This has left some institutions looking for a ready source of cash, either to repay customers or ensure they have enough money to weather a difficult period.
Banks are turning to the Federal Reserve for help.
The Federal Reserve was founded in 1913, partly to act as a backstop to the banking system.
It can loan money to banks against their assets in a pinch, helping them to raise cash more quickly than if they had to sell those assets in the open market.
The Federal Reserve's loan programs are designed to aid banks in situations where they may be short on cash, so they can continue to operate their day-to-day business without disruption.
However, there are differences in how banks view accepting help from the Federal Reserve.
Some banks are more willing to take out loans to cover short-term cash shortages than others.
Dan Berger, CEO of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions, said that while some banks have already tapped into the Federal Reserve's programs, other banks are hesitant to take on debt due to the uncertainty of how long the current crisis will last.
Despite differing views, it is clear that several banks are turning to the Federal Reserve for help in these turbulent times.