Words in the news

These stress tests have divided the strong banks, who don't need any extra capital, from the weak, who now have to find new money. The US government has ordered ten of the 19 banks tested to boost their capital. Top of the list is Bank of America, with a shortfall of nearly $34 billion, followed by Wells Fargo, Citigroup and GMAC - the finance arm of General Motors. The Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, said the tests had brought reassurance and clarity:

''These actions are critical to help get lending flowing again, to make sure that there's going to be the credit necessary to help support recovery, to help this economy get back on track''.

The stress tests were designed to find out how much extra capital the banks will need to cover their losses if the recession worsens. They can try to raise the money from private investors. Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley have already announced plans to do just that. But if that doesn't prove possible, then the US government says it will help them.

***
Vocabulary list

stress tests: a way of finding out how banks will cope with further financial difficulties

capital: wealth, especially a large amount of money used for producing more wealth

to boost: to increase, make larger

shortfall: amount of money which is less than is needed or expected

the finance arm: the division or part of the company which deals with money

reassurance: actions or words intended to make someone/something (here, the banks) feel less worried

clarity: the ability to be understood easily/not be confused

get lending flowing: to encourage people and banks to borrow and the movement of money to start again

back on track: return to a successful way of working, in the same way it was before

cover their losses: pay for any shortfalls which may occur

Source: CNN