Stress Test Results: Banks Need More Funds
WASHINGTON — The government’s long-awaited “stress-test” results have found that 10 of the nation’s 19 largest banks need a total of about $75 billion in new capital to withstand losses if the recession worsened.
The Federal Reserve’s findings, released Thursday, show the financial system, like the overall economy, is healing but not yet healed.
Some of the largest banks are stable, the tests found. But others need billions more in capital _ a signal by regulators that the industry is vulnerable but viable. Government officials have said a stronger banking system is needed for an economic rebound.
Officials hope the tests will restore investors’ confidence that not all banks are weak, and that even those that are can be strengthened. They have said none of the banks will be allowed to fail.
The banks that need more capital will have until June 8 to develop a plan and have it approved by their regulators.
Among the 10 banks that need to raise more capital, the tests said Bank Corp. needs by far the most: $33.9 billion. Wells Fargo & Co. requires $13.7 billion, GMAC LLC $11.5 billion, Citigroup Inc. $5.5 billion and Morgan Stanley $1.8 billion.
The other five requiring capital are all regional banks: Regions Financial Corp. of Birmingham, Ala., needs to raise $2.5 billion; SunTrust Banks Inc. of Atlanta $2.2 billion; KeyCorp of Cleveland $1.8 billion; Fifth Third Bancorp of Cincinnati $1.1 billion; and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. of Pittsburgh $600 million.
Some of the firms that need more capital already are announcing their strategies. Morgan Stanley, which the government says needs $1.8 billion in new capital, said it plans to raise $5 billion. That will include $2 billion in common stock.
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The federal government stress tests for the large banks were a total joke. The government’s “worst case scenario” is pretty much what we have already, so if (when) things get worse… what then?
But what really makes the stress test results ridiculous is the revelation that some banks (BAC, C, WFC, etc.) were able to “negotiate” the reported results. So the results need to be taken with a grain of salt anyway…