THEY DON'T MAKE GREAT DEPRESSIONS LIKE THEY USED TO:

Tests of Banks May Bring Hope More Than Fear (DAVID LEONHARDT, 5/04/09, NY Times)

The results of the bank stress tests to be released by the Obama administration this week are expected to include more detailed information about individual banks — assessing specific parts of their loan portfolios — than many analysts have been expecting.

Using these results, the administration seems prepared to argue that, while a few banks may need additional money, the broad financial system is healthier than many investors fear.