Fed to release results of bank stress tests

The Federal Reserve said Monday it will release its findings this week on how the country's biggest banks would fare under a nightmare economic scenario.

The latest round of stress tests examine whether the banks could withstand a crisis in which unemployment hits 13 percent, stocks fall by half, and housing prices drop 21 percent. Banks that are deemed healthy enough would be allowed by regulators to raise dividends for shareholders or buy back shares — both of which can boost their stock prices. Those that don't pass the test would have to raise their capital levels and face serious questions from shareholders. The results will be out Thursday afternoon.

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