The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) was a government agency established in 1932 during the Great Depression. Its primary purpose was to provide financial support to banks, railroads, and other businesses to stimulate economic recovery. By offering loans and purchasing securities, the RFC aimed to restore confidence in the financial system and promote stability. The RFC played a significant role in the New Deal, a series of programs initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the economic crisis. Over the years, it expanded its functions to assist state and local governments, ultimately helping to finance various public works projects and infrastructure improvements.