So far this year, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has shut down 92 banks. That compares with 25 banks last year. Business Week notes that this might be seen as surprisingly few closures. During the last banking crisis, 381 banks were seized in 1990, 268 in 1991, and 179 in 1992. But the crisis isn't over, and the pace of bank failures is picking up.

Three banks failed over the last few days, including Corus Bank of Illinois. Since July 1, the FDIC has closed down 47 banks. Meredith Whitney predicted not too long ago that 300 banks would fail this year. That's looking more and more prescient every week. Real estate, retail and especially commercial, remains the culprit. Construction loans are also creaking right now.  

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