Stress tests sound like the kind of thing that should be done under a doctor's supervision, but in this case, it was banks, not people, that were forced to run quickly on a treadmill and see how soon they would fall off. The results were mixed: Some banks need to get in better shape, while others appear reasonably well-prepared to weather any further crises lurking around the corner. Among the trouble spots that need more capital: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup. Meanwhile, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Capital One were among those declared fit enough as they are.
As for what this means for the average consumer, the answer is, not much, other than the fact that banks are now eager to prove that they no longer need U.S. bailout funds, and the ones that have already received money are trying to pay it back. That's good news for any taxpayer concerned about the percentage of his paycheck going towards bailout funds.
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