Government or official record
The Bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers
Federal Reserve History
Where this source supports the record
Each entry separates the article’s editorial relevance note from its exact, section-level claims. A bibliography link without a direct claim is labeled plainly.
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Financial crises · 15 September 2008Open article references →
The Collapse of Lehman Brothers
Former Lehman Brothers global headquarters · United States
Why editors use it hereFederal Reserve historical synthesis of failed sale, bankruptcy, systemic effects, and policy response.
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Quick read
Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy on 15 September 2008 after losses, leverage, and dependence on short-term funding made the investment bank unable to survive a collapse in confidence.
Reviewed 26 July 2026 -
Trigger and conditions
After Bear Stearns was rescued in March, investors questioned which firm would fail next.
Reviewed 26 July 2026 -
Uncertainty
Experts still debate whether the government legally could and practically should have rescued Lehman and how much bankruptcy itself versus underlying fragility caused the panic.
Reviewed 26 July 2026 -
Why it matters
Lehman shows that a firm's failure can be systemically catastrophic when markets depend on its promises and no credible resolution process exists.
Reviewed 26 July 2026
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Quick read