May 7, 2009 9:20 PM
- Text
Katie Couric's Notebook: Stress Tests
Katie is on assignment.
It's been a stressful day for some of the nation's biggest banks. Government stress tests show some, like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, are low on cash.
The tests set up a "what if" scenario.
What would happen if unemployment were to jump to 10.3 percent and home prices were to plunge another 22 percent?
The results show some big banks wouldn't survive, even after billions in bailout money.
Banks with failing grades will have six months to raise the funds, possibly by issuing stock or bonds, or from the government as a last resort, but Washington insists it won't let them fold.
For customers, it will be business as usual.
Your money is protected by the FDIC, although analysts warn banks scrambling to boost revenue may just keep raising those annoying fees - putting a bigger dent in your wallet. That could send you to the doctor - for your own stress test.
It's been a stressful day for some of the nation's biggest banks. Government stress tests show some, like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, are low on cash.
The tests set up a "what if" scenario.
What would happen if unemployment were to jump to 10.3 percent and home prices were to plunge another 22 percent?
The results show some big banks wouldn't survive, even after billions in bailout money.
Banks with failing grades will have six months to raise the funds, possibly by issuing stock or bonds, or from the government as a last resort, but Washington insists it won't let them fold.
For customers, it will be business as usual.
Your money is protected by the FDIC, although analysts warn banks scrambling to boost revenue may just keep raising those annoying fees - putting a bigger dent in your wallet. That could send you to the doctor - for your own stress test.
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