You need to look up time value of money https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_value_of_money https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_value_of_money Having $1M in 1

You need to look up time value of money https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_value_of_money https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_value_of_money Having $1M in 10 years is the same as having $680k today, as you could buy 10Y treasuries that will pay out $1M So saying "The FDIC should take on the bills and loans, and pay out the cash now. They will collect the entire balance eventually" is the same as saying "They have lost 30% of depositors money but FDIC should pay that 30% out of their own pocket"