BIG BANKS STRONGER: All but one of the nation's 18 largest banks are more prepared to withstand a severe U.S. recession and a global downturn than at any time since the 2008 financial crisis, the Federal Reserve says. Results of the Fed's annual "stress tests" showed that as a group, the 18 banks hold fewer bad loans compared with last year.
PLANS TO RAISE DIVIDENDS: The Fed will announce next week whether it will approve the banks' plans to increase dividends or repurchase shares.
BANK WITH SMALLER BUFFER: The Fed's data show that one of the banks, government-owned Ally Financial Inc., would have a much smaller capital buffer against losses than the others under the most severe scenario. Ally's projected capital level would be below the minimum that the Fed considers a bank would need to survive a severe recession.
