The emergency banking act was passed by the us in 1933 in an attempt to stabilize the banking system, which was plummeting due to the great depression, which created a nationwide struggle to stay afloat economically. The Dust Bowl was a big impact on the great depression and therefore the emergency banking act. The Dust Bowl affected thousands by ruining crops and homes. The main income for people was farming, and the massive dust clouds tore them up, ruining their harvest. Many people were withdrawing their money from banks and keeping it at home instead. President Roosevelt had a meeting with congress the day after inauguration and declared a four day bank holiday that shut down the banking system, including the federal reserve, which was intended to restore America's confidence in the banking system.