New Fed rules cut banks’risk

Article Excerpt

Following the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. Federal Reserve ordered banks and other big lenders to boost the capital (cash, bonds and other securities) they hold. That put them in a better position to absorb future loan losses. The Fed recently announced that starting in 2019, it will bring in tougher new capital requirements for the eight largest U.S. banks, including Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan (see below). However, both Wells and Morgan have bolstered their balance sheets and unloaded many of their riskier businesses since the crisis. That should help them meet the new standards without having to issue new shares. WELLS FARGO & CO. $58 (New York symbol WFC; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 5.2 billion; Market cap: $301.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.5; Dividend yield: 2.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.wellsfargo.com) operates through three divisions: Community Banking provides consumer mortgages, loans, credit cards and other financial services (57% of 2014 revenue, 59% of earnings); Wholesale…