Rule subjects 100 more US banks to stress tests

[October 10, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- About 100 medium-sized U.S. banks will have to show how prepared they are to withstand a financial crisis next year, under a rule adopted Tuesday.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. voted to require banks with between $10 billion and $50 billion in assets to conduct yearly stress tests to assess their ability to withstand possible worsening economic conditions. The requirement is mandated by the 2010 financial overhaul law.

Two other regulatory agencies also are expected to adopt the requirement. It takes effect in October 2013 and will affect about around 1.3 percent of all U.S. banks.

Stress tests subject banks' balance sheets to scenarios such as rising unemployment and falling home prices.

The 19 largest U.S. banks already undergo annual stress tests conducted by the Federal Reserve.

[Associated Press]

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