As credit unions debate whether or not to accept governmentbailout money, the ownership of big banks will be determined bystress testing, beginning tomorrow.

According to a joint statement yesterday released by the U.S.Department of the Treasury, the Federal Deposit InsuranceCorporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, theOffice of Thrift Supervision, and the Federal Reserve Board, thegroup will begin evaluating "the capital needs of major U.S.banking institutions."

If stress tests indicate a capital buffer is needed,institutions will first turn to private sources of capital. If thatfails, a temporary buffer will be made available from thegovernment.