The stress tests proposed are based on capital ratios.  Distinguished economists like Anat Admati and Martin Helwig argue that we are looking in the wrong place to test stress.  Admati and Helwig argue that if banks had much more equity the financial system would be safer. It is in fact better for problems to be addressed quickly by rebuilding equity even when the economy is weak.  None of the big banks are factoring in this fact.  Stress Test Rules